James E. McGreevey
Governor

William D. Watley
Secretary of Commerce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Karen Wolfe - 609.292.2523

NEW JERSEY TO HOST HISTORIC NATIONAL MARBLES TOURNAMENT

Annual Competition Celebrates 80 Years and Brings the Best Mibsters
to the Shores of Wildwood from Monday, June 16 - Thursday, June 19

Wildwood, N.J. (June 4, 2003)—Do you know which children's competition has been in existence longer than the Little League World Series and National Spelling Bee? Now in its 80th year, the National Marbles Tournament brings the best marbles players from around the country to the beaches of Wildwood, NJ, beginning Monday, June 16 through Thursday, June 19 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day. The event is located at Ringer Stadium on the beach at Wildwood Avenue and is free to the public.

"We look forward to hosting these talented children and their families who come from across the country to compete in this national tournament," said Nancy Byrne, executive director for the New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism. "Wildwood, New Jersey, with its beautiful beaches, outdoor dining and entertainment, is the perfect family setting for this event."

As champions of their regions, 38 boys and 32 girls, ages eight to 14, earned the chance to play in the official marbles national championship for two, $2,000 scholarships and the right to call themselves the King and Queen of Marbles. In addition, two sportsmanship honorees will receive a $500 each.

The object of marbles is for the player, known as a mibster, to knock seven marbles off the ring on the playing surface from the thirteen arranged in an "X" pattern in the center of the ring.

The first three days of the championship will consist of a round robin format, followed by semi-final and final rounds in the boys and girls divisions on Thursday, June 19.

Following the tournament, the champions of the boys and girls divisions will be inducted into the National Marbles Hall of Fame at the Boyer Museum on Pacific Avenue in Wildwood.

Wildwood's National Marbles Hall of Fame opened in 1993 and is supported by the Wildwood Historical Society.

More information on the National Marbles Tournament can be obtained by contacting the New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism, at 1-800-VISITNJ (847-4865); or by checking the Web site at www.visitnj.org.