NORWICH – The Norwich Family Y Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament tips-off today, bringing one of the biggest annual weekend sporting events in the Northeast back to the streets of Norwich.

There are 427 teams signed up this year, all vying for the top spot in their bracket and the bragging rights of being Gus Macker’s number one team. The event – which typically draws in thousands of competitors each year – will get underway beginning with team registrations from 4-8 p.m. at the Norwich fire house. Registration for the women’s three-point shot competition will be from noon to 5 p.m. with the competition at 6:30 p.m. at center court.

Opening celebrations will resume in the heart of the city as live musical performances usher in the competitions, beginning with the Norwich City Band from 7-8 p.m. and for the first time in years, live music will be played in East Park. Local musicians Frank Revoir and friends will play immediately after the City Band on the East Park stage.

According to Macker coordinator Tom Revoir, several for-profit and not-for-profit organizations are gearing up for an appearance in the park tonight and through the weekend, too, including local food vendors, the Norwich Football Boosters, Girls Basketball Boosters, Relay for Life, Knight of Columbus, and the Sherburne Lions Club, to name a few.