Ancona’s Wines and Liquors is bringing a little old world charm to new world community and philanthropy with the return of its Annual Branchville Charity Lawn Bocce Tournament for the third time. Six teams will face off to vie for the title of Branchville Champion Bocce Team this Saturday, Sept. 9 (rain date Sept. 10), each playing for the honor of championship title as well as fundraising for their team’s chosen charity.
Ancona’s owner, Mitch Ancona, is a bocce enthusiast, and he started this event three years ago to create something fun that would bring together local groups to help make the community stronger through fundraising. This year, the six teams are scheduled to compete for more than $3,000 in prize money: Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department, the Danbury Women’s Center, Wilton Library, Ridgefield Library, Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department, and the Ridgefield Visiting Nurses Association.
Wilton Library won the inaugural tournament in 2015 (pictured above).
This year’s tournament will take place at Ancona’s Branchville bocce courts, located at 59 Wilridge Rd. in Ridgefield (off Rte. 7).
The four-person teams will compete all day, beginning at 10 a.m.. Winners receive a trophy, but more importantly, the prizes are donations made to the teams’ charities: 1st place–$1500; 2nd place–$750; 3rd place–$500; 4th place–$250. Additionally, one team will also receive a $300 bonus Spirit Award for most spirited tailgate party.
Games begin at 10 a.m. and run all day. There is no cost for spectators to attend.
The Tournament is sponsored by the Branchville Civic Association (BCA), a charitable organization comprised of three generations of local Branchville families.