Players hope for perfect 29s in support of Bob Pratt Scholarship
There is little quite as quintessentially Minnesotan as a community fundraiser cribbage tournament.
On Saturday, April 23, Cook County Higher Education will host the 5th annual Bob Pratt Scholarship doubles cribbage tournament at the Birch Terrace. Games will begin at 1 p.m.
CCHE Executive Director Karen Blackburn told WTIP they have raised over $130,000 for the Bob Pratt Scholarship. The scholarship is open to anyone in the county, from young people looking at post-high school plans through adult learners looking to expand their job opportunities. Blackburn said it can be used to fund training in the trades and technology, and to acquire tools.
“Bob Pratt was always looking out for everyone. He believed that anyone from any background and with any dream could make it happen,” Blackburn said. “It is for any training or anything that will help you move forward with your dream, that is less than an AA degree or a four-year degree. It is really for someone who’s just trying to take a little step towards the future.”
Julie Carlson, who is helping organize the tournament, added, “If there’s something that can help you better yourself for your profession, then we want to hear about it.”
The annual cribbage tournament is the only community fundraiser for the scholarship. Players compete as pairs, and while registration is not required ahead of the event, the tournament will be capped at 32 teams. As of April 22, Blackburn said 26 teams had already registered. Carlson said that if someone wants to play, but doesn’t have a partner yet, they should reach out to CCHE to help connect them with another player who is also seeking a partner.
Blackburn and Calrson said that while the winning team will be added to the trophy housed at CCHE, and there are some cash prizes, the biggest prize is bragging rights.
WTIP’s CJ Heithoff spoke with CCHE Executive Director Karen Blackburn and tournament coordinator Julie Carlson about the 5th annual Bob Pratt Scholarship doubles cribbage tournament. Audio of that interview is below.
Kirsten Wisniewski April 23, 2026
