The Fincastle Pokemon Gym is entering its eighth year of weekly meetings, tournaments and other events involving both the Pokemon trading card game and video game.

Founded in May of 2010 by Marthe and Joel Honts as an experiment in trying out the card game in this area, it has grown into one of the best-kept secrets in Botetourt County.

The Gym, which meets every Sunday at the Fincastle Library Meeting Room from 3-5:30 p.m., is a place where Pokemon fans can hang out and play both casual and competitive card games with friends and new acquaintances.

Since 2010, the Gym has been visited by over 300 different players and has placed its members in the top spots of a variety of local, regional and international tournaments, including six World Championship invitations.

While some visitors have tried the game and moved on to other things, some have become regulars that have played the game for several years.

The Gym is kicking off 2018 with a membership drive, of sorts, by declaring the month of January “Bring a Friend” month.  New players that visit the Pokemon league during January are eligible for rewards as detailed on the league website at fincastlepokemon.wordpress.com.

The league is free to join and visitors are always welcome to drop in and check things out.

For more information, visit their site or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fincastlepokemon/.