The Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority will work with community partners to hold its third annual Father’s Day Basketball Tournament from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at John F. Kennedy Middle School.

The free event is designed to praise and recognize fathers and encourage them to get involved in the lives of their children. Sponsors include the nonprofit organization Team Loaded 757 and the Suffolk Police Department.

“We’re all going to come together for a day of community partnership and to celebrate fatherhood,” SRHA resident services coordinator Mike Smith said.

There will be a trophy for the first-place team in the basketball tournament, plus the runner-up. Music will play as families enjoy free burgers and hotdogs from the grill. Door prizes will be available, and Chick-fil-A will distribute coupons.

This is the first year the tournament has been held at the middle school. It was moved to better accommodate the resident turnout, as more than 250 local residents attended last year, Smith said.

“It keeps growing and growing every year,” he said.

The event is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s National Father’s Day Initiative. Smith said the father figure is an important role in the household, and children that don’t have such an influence can be negatively affected.

“This is an innovative approach to try and get the father involved in that development structure,” he said. “We are encouraging positive relationships between fathers and their families.”

Call 925-6496 for more information.