The third annual Bocce Invitational Tournament will be held 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Colonial Park, Mettlers Road, in Somerset, June 20. Hundreds of amateur and professional bocce players are expected to compete in the daylong event that features matches in both amateur and professional categories. The New Jersey Bocce Invitational is an Italian- American cultural event designed to allow people of all backgrounds to compete for the benefit of local New Jersey charities. Beneficiaries of the event are Operation Shoebox New Jersey, an organization that collects items and ships care packages to combat troops overseas, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of New Jersey. Special guests include Will Jimeno, retired New York & New Jersey Port Authority police officer and inspirational speaker, one of only two people to survive under the rubble on 9/11. His story was told in the Oliver Stone motion picture “World Trade Center.” Giada Valenti, singer and songwriter, also will perform, as well as comedian and “Saturday Night Live” alumnus Joe Piscopo and vocalist Bobby Valli, and Rutgers University football players are expected as repeat guests. Visit the website www.newjerseybocceinvitational.com to register a team or to find out about sponsorship opportunities.
