Bocce Classic
- Where: Bella Villa Hall, 2625 County Line Road, Kettering
- When: Friday, July 16, from 6-11 pm Saturday, July 17, from 8 am-11 pm Sunday, July 18, from 9 am-2 pm
- Cost: Purchase dinner tickets by calling Culture Works at (937) 222-2787. Outback Dinner tickets are $10, Boccetoni Dinner tickets are $15
KETTERING — For a taste of Italian culture, live music, dinner and bocce, join the Sons of Italy in celebrating the “Sweet 16” of the Bocce Classic this weekend, July 16-18.
“People should come out to enjoy the world’s greatest game and to enjoy live music under the stars with their favorite beverage,” said Kevin Sorice, Bocce Classic chairman.
Opening ceremonies Friday, July 16, will begin at 5:45 p.m., with the bocce tournament following at 6 pm.
More than 50 teams will be participating in the tournament and will play two games Friday night and two games Saturday morning, beginning at 8 a.m.
Then, based on the seeding of these games, the teams will move on to play in a single elimination tournament. The championship game will be Saturday at about 10 p.m.
The previous winners of the Bocce Classic and the top finishers of this year’s Bocce Classic tournament then will compete in the 32-team tournament World Cup Sun., July 18, at 2 p.m.
For those who are not playing bocce, there will be an opportunity to enjoy watching the tournaments, dining and listening to live music.
Attending the event is free of charge, but tickets for the dinners must be purchased in advance.
The Outback Dinner will be from 6-8 pm on Friday and will include steak, salad, vegetables and a beverage. The Boccetoni Dinner will be from 3:30-8 pm on Saturday and will include rigatoni, meatballs, salad, bread, dessert and a beverage. All of the proceeds from the two dinners will benefit Culture Works, the Huesman Heart Foundation, the Italian Cultural Foundation and the Bocce Classic Scholarship.
“Everything we get is put back into charitable organizations,” Sorice said. The event “gives people something to do where they can have a great time without spending a lot of money and support the local charities. It’s a good way to give back,” he added.
While dining Friday, enjoy listening to the classic rock band, the Stumps, who will perform around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, dine while listening to the southwestern Ohio band, This Side Up, who will perform at 6:30 p.m.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2409 or estudy@coxohio.com.
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