The 34th annual Dairy Town Classic kicks into high gear in Sussex on Thursday.

It is the first time the basketball tournament has been held since 2019 due to the pandemic.

David Baxendale, president of the committee, said 12 teams will take part in the three-day tournament.

“We bring in such great talent. This year, we have teams from Montreal and throughout the Maritimes,” Baxendale said in an interview.

There are five visiting men’s and five visiting women’s teams, along with the two teams from Sussex Regional High School.

Also from New Brunswick is the women’s team from Fredericton High School and the men’s team from Kennebecasis Valley High School.

“It’s kind of neat to have something that is such a draw in Sussex. Because of the high quality and because of all the different activities we do and all the promotion we do, it makes it the success it is year after year,” said Baxendale.

There were several events leading up to the tournament showcasing younger basketball players in the community.

Tournament games begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at Sussex Middle School and Sussex Regional High School.

Both the men’s and women’s championships are set for Saturday afternoon.

The full tournament schedule can be found on the Dairy Town Classic’s website.