Bocce tournament at History Center
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Bocce is more than just a fun activity for August cookouts. It's an important relic of Old World culture.
"[Bocce] served as a bridge between the older Italian Americans and the younger ones that has been passed down from generation to generation," said Brady Smith, communications manager at the Heinz History Center.
The center will host its second annual bocce tournament and festival Aug. 20 at a parking lot at 12th and Smallman streets in the Strip District. Proceeds will benefit the history center's Italian American collection.
The festival is an important fundraiser for the Italian American Endowment Fund, which supports the history center's collection, Smith said.
But it also provides an outlet for Pittsburghers' passion for the game.
Italian immigrants brought bocce to Pittsburgh in the early 20th century. The game provided a social forum for immigrants and helped first generation Italian-Americans connect with Italian culture, language and customs.
Societies of Italian immigrants established bocce courts in their neighborhoods, which served as community centers. The Ateleta Beneficial Association in Bloomfield, the Italian American Instructive Club in Clairton and the Larimer Avenue Social Club in East Liberty used to support bocce play. The Pittsburgh Bocce Federation still maintains an active league today.
The festival will be held from 1 p.m. to dusk Aug. 20. It will feature Italian food and beverages and live entertainment by Pure Gold, Vito DiSalvo & Daniella Pasquini, and Jimmy Sapienza's Five Guys Named Moe. Admission is free for spectators.
For more information about the tournament, contact Natalie Taylor at 412-454-6325 or visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org.
First Published August 14, 2011 12:00 am
