Story Published:
Jul 29, 2010 at 2:54 PM CST
Story Updated:
Jul 29, 2010 at 2:54 PM CST
EVENT: National Rolley Hole Marble Tournament
WHERE: Standing Stone State Park
WHEN: September 11th, 2010 – all day event starting at 8:00 am
The game of marbles is an ancient and universal pastime. In almost every period of human history and among almost every human culture, marble games have been created, adapted, and adopted. In addition to its traditional practice, interest in marbles has intersected the spheres of fine arts, industry, archeology, retail business, organized sport, and popular culture.
The 28th Annual National Rolley Hole Marbles Championship and Marbles Festival will be a celebration of marbles. It will appeal to nostalgic interests and youthful enthusiasm. It reaches out to the sportsman, the collector, the craft-minded hobbyist, and the spectator. Our event will be hosted and directed by the Tennessee Bureau of State Parks and the Friends of Standing Stone State Park.
This is a one of a kind event, as previously featured by ESPN, ABC evening News, Sports Illustrated, Charles Kurault and CBS, Smithsonian Institution, CNN, National Geographic, Southern Living Magazine, Charles Shultz, and many more… Every one of all ages is invited to participate in marble making, swap meet, demonstrations, live bluegrass music, and food of all types. The Festival will also include five separate marble tournaments for spectators and marble players to enjoy: The 28th Annual National Rolley Hole Championship, Ringer, Tennessee Square, Georgia Rolley Hole, and British. Admission is FREE!
Rolley Hole is a folk game similar to croquet, will be played by the rules of the National Rolley Hole Marbles Championship, on a dirt yard that measures 40’ by 25’, with three holes placed approximately ten feet apart. Teams consist of two players, each attempting to put his marble through a course of twelve holes. Registration is required for Rolley Hole Tournament. Sign ups for the Rolley Hole Tournament will begin August 1st and end on September 1st at the Standing Stone Park Office. Park Office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (daily). Information needed will be the name, address, and phone number of each player.
Ringer is the official game of the National Marbles Tournament in Wildwood, New Jersey for children between the ages of 8 and 14. Versions of the game are played worldwide, but American rules call for two players, each with one shooter, and 13 target marbles. The game is played within a circle, 10’ in diameter, painted on concrete.
Tennessee Square is a traditional Southern game that is still played in areas of northern Tennessee and southern Kentucky. The Glasgow, Kentucky, rules call for a 15’by 20’ piece of carpet, with a ten-foot square marked in paint or tape. Eight marbles are placed along this boundary, and one is in the center of the court. Two teams of two players each attempted to win all the target marbles, which are 1.5’ in diameter or larger.
Georgia Rolley Hole is the tradition marble game of Georgia. Great for kids and adults!
British game is played in a six-foot diameter ring that is dusted with fine sand. Some 49 marbles are then placed in the ring. There are four to six players in a team. The winner is the first team to knock 25 marbles out of the ring.
INFORMATION: Standing Stone State Park is located 10 miles north of Livingston, TN., just off Highway 52. For information, contact Park Office at (931) 823-6487.
EVENT: National Rolley Hole Marble Tournament
WHERE: Standing Stone State Park
WHEN: September 11th, 2010 – all day event starting at 8:00 am
