BocceFest 2013 brings beer, bands and bocce to Lewes
Dogfish Head has been known to use the sport of bocce as a bonding tool both within its company and at industry events. This weekend, Dogfish is teaming up with the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and Major League Bocce to bring the best bocce has to offer to Lewes.
From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, BocceFest 2013 will pit 48 four-person teams against one another in a double-elimination tournament to crown the kings and queens of bocce.
The tournament will be held on the green area at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal in Lewes, and will offer plenty of beer, bocce and bands for those playing or just stopping by to watch.
"We are ecstatic to be hosting our very first regional bocce tournament,” said Rachel Preston, partner in Major League Bocce LLC. “The waterfront location at the Cape-May Lewes Ferry terminal makes this tournament unique and offers visiting participants the added benefit of a Delaware beach weekend.”
Michael Porch, marketing manager for the ferry, said bocce officials approached the ferry more than a year ago about hosting an event. He said the tournament was a no-brainer for his company.
"We enjoy hosting events," he said. "We feel we have an awesome venue. We thought it was a really interesting and unique event.
"We also have the added benefit of partnering with one of the region's strongest, most unique businesses in Dogfish," he added. "Having such a first-class organization as Dogfish involved adds more prestige and credibility to the event."
Competition will begin at 11 a.m. with a play-in round that will rank all 48 teams. Teams will then be seeded and placed into one of four conferences. The double-elimination tournament will begin 1 p.m., with the next round kicking off at the top of each subsequent hour. The championship round is slated for 6 p.m.
The winner of each conference will receive $250. The overall winner will haul in an additional $500.
"Bocce has been a longstanding tradition here at Dogfish," said Dogfish founder Sam Calagione. "I mean, how many other sports can you play with a beer in your hand? And we couldn't think of better partners than the folks at Major League Bocce and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. We hope this is just the beginning of many good times to come."
