Pro wrestlers hold anti-bullying rallies; Saturday event to raise money for Toys for Tots

Pro wrestlers are visiting St. Mary Parish schools this week for anti-bullying rallies before taking over the Patterson Area Civic Center Saturday night for an event that will also serve as a fundraiser for Toys for Tots.
Main Event Pro Wrestling, based in Tyler, Texas, will be at the Patterson Area Civic Center for a wrestling event at 6 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are on sale at Boost Mobile in Morgan City.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Marine Corps League, St. Mary Detachment Toys for Tots drive. All concessions sold at the event go to the Marine Corps League, wrestler Byron Wilcott said. Wilcott’s wrestling name is Big Daddy Yum Yum.
Also, Marine Corps League members are selling tickets for Saturday’s event, and 20 percent of their ticket sales go to Toys for Tots, Wilcott said.
This year marks the third year Main Event has come to St. Mary Parish. Main Event’s owner, Mark Vaughn, is from St. Mary Parish, Wilcott said.
Wilcott, who has wrestled around the world including Europe and Japan, said Main Event’s goal is to bring “big time pro wrestling” to small and medium size communities.
When they arrive in different communities, wrestlers participate in community events going on that week, Wilcott said.
Wilcott and other wrestlers take part in an anti-bullying campaign called “Boo the Bully,” Wilcott said.
Wrestlers began visiting several area elementary schools Wednesday talking to kids about the three types of bullying, how to avoid being a bully, what to do if you are being bullied, and how not to be a bystander to bullying, Wilcott said.
Wilcott wants to teach to kids to get along, treat one another with respect and learn life skills that will help them succeed, he said.
“The schools love it,” Wilcott said of the anti-bullying rallies. “The kids love a breakout, a change in pace for that day.”