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10th annual Hoops and Dreams event to take place this weekend

By LEXIE O'CONNOR

Story Created: Jul 10, 2012 at 4:43 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 10, 2012 at 5:26 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - This weekend, hundreds will fill Utica's Proctor Park for the 10th annual Hoops and Dreams project and organizers say there is approximately 10 teams of all ages signed up for this year's tournament.

However, it's not just about basketball, as in between the games, speakers will take center court, spreading the message to reduce violence.

"We transform this basketball court in this park this weekend into a learning center, into an opportunity to educate people about what's really, really important," said Patrick Johnson, Director of the Hoops and Dreams Project. "So it's about heightening the awareness about things that people can do to make their quality of life better."

The games begin Friday, July 13 at 5 p.m., and continue Saturday and Sunday with a full day of games, speakers and food at Proctor Park.

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