AVALON—Cape May County consists of 16 different municipalities with unique characteristics that make the region a desirable place to live, invest in property and vacation. On Saturday, May 20, the argument over which town has the best bocce ball team will be settled.
Avalon’s 3rd Annual Mayor’s Cup Bocce Tournament will be held at the 39th Street Bocce Ball Courts in Avalon, starting at 10 a.m. Five local communities will field teams captained by their mayors and will play in a double elimination tournament to determine the best bocce ball team in Cape May County. The participating towns include Avalon (Mayor Martin Pagliughi), Stone Harbor (Mayor Judy Davies-Dunhour), Upper Township (Mayor Richard Palombo), Middle Township (Mayor Michael Clark) and Wildwood Crest (Mayor Carl Groon). The event is presented by the Avalon Department of Recreation and the Avalon History Center, and sponsored by the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, the Avalon Free Public Library, and the 7 Mile Business and Community Association.
“This is a fun, family event that invites our local towns to Avalon for a competitive bocce ball tournament that I’m sure will be filled with playful banter between the teams,” said Avalon Recreation Director Chuck McDonnell. “It’s also an opportunity for the Borough to showcase our 39th Street Park that was financed through a grant from the Cape May County Open Space Program. The Park has become very popular for children and parents to enjoy.”
The Mayor’s Bocce Ball tournament resumed in 2015 with both Avalon and Stone Harbor competing for the title. Avalon won the championship which earned a large Bocce Cup trophy that has been proudly displayed for one year. The winner of this year’s tournament will earn the trophy for 12 months and will be obligated to defend its championship in 2018.
The opening ceremony for the Mayor’s Cup Bocce Tournament will begin at 9:30 a.m. with recognition of Avalon’s 125th anniversary that will include a special presentation by McDonnell and Avalon History Center Director Nina Ranalli. The tournament will begin on the two bocce courts promptly at 10 a.m. The event will also include live music from the band Loud ‘N Klear and a live radio broadcast by WCZT 98.7 The Coast. Preliminary games will be played to the score of nine, with the championship game being played to the score of 11.
The Avalon Bocce Courts are located on 39th Street between Dune and Ocean Drive across from the Avalon History Center. Attendees may also explore the History Center to see compelling displays that tell the history of Avalon and the Jersey Shore. There is ample street parking at the Bocce Courts and History Center as Avalon has no parking meters and free parking lots.
For more information, visit www.avalonboro.net.