Ridgefield Library Takes Top Bocce Prize, RVNA Earns Coveted Spirit Award, All Claim Fun!

2018 Branchville Area Civics Charity Bocce Tourney

The battle for the esteemed title of Branchville Champion Bocce Team raged yesterday, Saturday, October 13 on the site of the new Branchville bocce courts located at 59 Willridge Road in Ridgefield. At the helm of the Fourth Annual Branchville Charity Lawn Bocce Tournament was Mitch Ancona, owner of Ancona's Wines and Liquors. "I love helping people make memories," he says. And there are a lot of them.

Representatives from six local charities including The Women's Center, Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department, Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department, Ridgefield Library, Wilton Library, and RVNA gathered on Mitch Ancona's Bocce Arena at about 10:00 am to set up tailgate "shop" (Rain? what rain?). Grills were firepits were smoking and an array of tailgate provisions were flowing. 

"The motto of this tourney is simply to have fun...and give some money away to some awesome organizations that help make our communities even more wonderful," says Ancona.

Each team engaged in friendly competition for over $3,000 in prize money.

After three years of bocce fame, the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department hung their hat. The final round found library battling library, and Wilton fell to Ridgefield. Comprised of Shane Casey, Chris Couri, Woody Harford, and Peter Coffin, team Ridgefield Library brought their "A" game and walked away with top prize, $1,500.00 as well as bragging rights and a handsome trophy.

Wilton Library finished in 2nd place earning $750. In 3rd place with $500 in prize money was Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department and in 4th was Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department, earning $250. 

A coveted award is for "Spirit" and that went to RVNA for their tailgate cheer and overall sportsmanship.

Thank you to Big Little Taco for heating up the fall afternoon with Mexican favorites and keeping the participants and referees fueled and ready to roll. In the spirit of giving back, the popular traveling Taco company gave their day's proceeds back to the participating charities! Wow!

The Tournament is sponsored by the Branchville Civic Association (BCA).  The charitable organization is comprised of three generations of local Branchville families, and is best known as the proprietor and caretaker of the Branchville Civic baseball field, which was built by the founding members in 1946.    

Bocce is played by throwing a small ball, called a pallino, onto the court. Players then bowl larger balls toward the pallino to see who can get the closest. It can be played in teams, as in the tournament, or one-on-one.  The game requires strategy and accuracy but can be enjoyed by players of all ages and athletic abilities.

Ancona explains, “The bocce tournament is a culmination of the traditional Ancona business objective,” said Ancona.  “Focus on family, community, and charity – with a good dose of fun."

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Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

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