ROCKPORT — The Midcoast Recreation Center is pleased to announce the return of its annual tennis benefit tournament and silent auction. Spots to participate in the tournament remain, as of 7 a.m. on Sunday. 

After a two-year hiatus amid the pandemic, the tournament and silent auction is back and will raise funds for youth tennis scholarships and for the court resurfacing. 

The tennis benefit tournament will be held Saturday, Oct. 22 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Participants may register at the MRC, by calling 207-236-9400, or online at midcoastrec.org. The registration fee is $100 and includes the tournament, a t-shirt and food and beverage. The tournament is open to the first 32 participants who sign up.

The silent auction is currently underway, and will continue until Oct. 22.

Items include a CedarWorks playset, A Glamping Getaway at Appleton Retreat, Cape Air tickets, 16 Bay View hotel accommodations and gift card, and a variety of gift cards to local restaurants. The auction also features work by a variety of artists including Jim Nickelson, Jackie Russo, Mary B. Matthews, Roger Rittmaster, Mike McCune, and more. There is also a collection of themed baskets, bags and boxes to be auctioned off that include Bixby chocolates, Green Tree Coffee and Tea and related supplies, a sail on popular sloop, Anjecaa along with a Sea Bag, a 4-night cruise on Schooner Stephen Taber, and two tennis-themed baskets.

There are more than 40 items and something for everyone, organizers say.

To bid, stop by MRC (located at 535 West Street in Rockport), call 207-236-9400, or visit midcoastrec.org to bid online. Online and in-person bids will happen separately and concurrently, and the highest bid as of 5 p.m. on October 22 will win.

The CedarWorks playset is the one item that currently has a “buy it now” price of $7,000 but will go to the highest bidder if the “buy it now” price is not offered before October 22.

“We are delighted by the community’s response to our Benefit Tennis Tournament and Silent Auction this year,” said MRC development director, Sarah Glenn. “It is a special event that brings people together to have fun and raise money for a great cause.”