Street hockey games are usually interrupted at some point with a shout of "car!" to halt the action and move the nets to the side of the road for a passing motorist.

That won't be happening at Delta Parks, Recreation & Culture's fifth annual street hockey tournament next Saturday in Tsawwassen.

The event, for kids from kindergarten to Grade 7, is held at the South Delta Recreation Centre.

"It's been a great success. We take up the whole front parking lot and go to town," says recreation program co-ordinator Kelly Wilson.

The round robin tournament consists of 15-to 20-minute games with breaks in between. Games are played four-onfour plus a goalie and teams have a 10player limit.

Some teams that come are very competitive while others are just there to have a good, fun time, Wilson notes.

Plenty of spectators come out to watch the action, says Linda Bryson, another recreation program co-ordinator.

"Every grandma, grandpa, brother, sister - it's quite a crowd that comes," she says. "I'd say it's a lot like a sports day - it's a chance for kids to play hockey with their friends."

Last year 26 teams took part in the tournament and, as of last week, around 12 were scheduled to play this time.

Teams can expect to play six or seven games.

"There's not a lot of down time," says Wilson.

There will be a concession open and there will be a bouncy castle set up in the gym for younger kids not playing in the tournament.

The street hockey tournament takes place Saturday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Delta Recreation Centre in Tsawwassen. Goalie equipment is mandatory along with helmets with full cages for all players.

Registration, which is ongoing, costs $105 per team. Call 604-952-3000 for more details.

dwillis@delta-optimist.com