SHINNSTON, W.Va. (WV News) — The West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival hosted its ever-popular bocce tournament Saturday at the bocce courts on the hill at Ferguson Park in Shinnston.

The bocce tournament is one of the lead-in event which lead up to the festival, which is set for Aug. 29-31. Next Saturday will be the popular Pasta Cookoff, held at Jackson Square in Clarksburg.

Nine teams competed Saturday for the grand champion trophy — and at least a year’s worth of good-natured bragging among members of the Shinnston Bocce League and players from across North Central West Virginia.

Bocce is an Italian bowling game that immigrants brought to America as part of their culture. It is derived from games of the Roman Empire and takes its name from boccia, which means “bowl.” One player to

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