ALDEN — Move aside Globetrotters, the Harlem Ambassadors are coming to town.

On Saturday, the Ambassadors will visit Alden-Conger School’s gymnasium for a game against local people, some of whom might have experience chewing gum and walking at the same time and others have an actual basketball background.

The Alden Lions Club is sponsoring the event, which will raise money for the Lions Club’s community projects, which seeks positive reinforcement for the youth of Alden so they can make positive choices.

“Our past president, Ron Theusch, brought the idea to our club a year ago,” said Pam Koenen, a Lions Club member responsible for ticket sales. “It’s something that hasn’t been done with our club before, a family fun night.”

The Ambassadors is a basketball organization that has been putting on shows and entertaining crowds in all 50 states and in 19 countries since 1998.

Dancing officials, team gags and some fancy moves on the court are just a few of the sights to be seen.

Harlem will play a select group called the Alden All-Stars, which comprises local celebrities, community members, teachers and former basketball players. New Alden-Conger School Principal Brian Shanks will participate in the game.

Beyond the family entertainment, the Lions Club also wanted to make sure the athletes made a lasting impression on the students.

Last week the Ambassadors stopped by the Alden-Conger School for two assemblies, one for high school students the other for middle school students and younger. There, they shared the importance of education.

“It was all about the importance of staying in school, education and staying off of drugs and alcohol.” Koenen said.

Koenen added that all of the players have to meet certain qualifications to be an Ambassador. They all have or are working on attaining a college degree, played college basketball and they all test negative for drugs.

That is a message the club hopes is heard and understood by area students.

“It is about the idea that there are really strong role models out there,” Koenen said. “And to get the students to think about their actions.”

Also at the assembly, the players shared their personal stories of success on how they made smart choices and surrounded themselves with the right people. These actions allowed them to get around obstacles in their lives and pursue their dreams.

Tipoff for the family event is slated for 6 p.m.

Tickets, please
What: Harlem Ambassadors vs. Alden All-Stars
Where: Alden-Conger School
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
How much: $9 for adults and $6 for students in advance, $2 more at the door; advance tickets at Doyle’s Hallmark in Albert Lea and Hometown Snacks & Sweets in Alden