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Bocce, Beer & Bites: The AAUW’s Can’t-Miss Spring Tradition

  • May 8
  • 3 min read

Sunshine, friendly competition, and a whole lot of community spirit: those are the ingredients that keep people coming back to Albemarle Area United Way’s Bocce, Beer & Bites year after year. As Chris Day at The Daily Advance perfectly put it, two things feel practically guaranteed: a champion will be crowned, and the weather almost always shows up to celebrate with us. This year’s bocce ball tournament and community fundraiser delivered on both, and then some.


2026 Highlights: Big Energy, Bigger Impact

  • 40 registered teams bringing the heat (and the laughs) across every match

  • 45+ volunteers keeping games running smoothly and welcoming guests all day long

  • A park filled with spectators, teammates, and supporters cheering on every point

  • Delicious food and cold beer that made it easy to settle in and stay awhile

  • Music and emceeing from DJ Taz 2, keeping the vibe upbeat from first roll to final round

  • A huge round of applause for the Albemarle Medical Transport team, who battled through a double-elimination bracket and came out on top as our first‑place champions!


If you were there, you know the feeling: the clack of bocce balls, the friendly trash talk between rounds, and that moment when a close match pulls a crowd to the edge of the court. If you missed it this year, consider this your sign. Bocce, Beer & Bites is more than a tournament. It’s one of the most fun ways to show up for neighbors in the Albemarle.


Scroll on for a few favorite snapshots that capture the laughter, competition, and unmistakable Bocce, Beer & Bites spirit.


These photos are just a taste of the fun! If you want to relive the day (or catch what you missed), check out even more moments on our Bocce, Beer & Bites page.


Why It Matters

Every team registered, every ticket purchased, and every sponsor who stepped up strengthens Albemarle Area United Way’s work across our region by helping fund essential services like emergency assistance, health and wellness initiatives, youth development, and family support. Since 1957, United Way has proudly served nine counties in northeastern North Carolina, bringing neighbors together to meet needs, respond faster, and improve lives. Thank you for being part of the energy and community that made the event a success, and for loving your neighbor the United Way. If you’d like to keep the impact going, you can donate.


Thank You for Making It Happen

To the teams who played their hearts out, the volunteers who made every detail look effortless, and the supporters who filled the park with encouragement, thank you. You’re the reason Bocce, Beer & Bites keeps growing into a signature community event.


Want in next year? Mark your calendar now for Saturday, April 24, 2027 and start thinking about who you want on your team. Whether you join as a bocce crew, volunteer, sponsor, or simply come out to cheer (and enjoy the bites), this is one Albemarle-area event you’ll be glad you didn’t miss. Stay tuned for registration details and updates as we roll toward 2027.


To close things out, we’re sharing a few social photos and videos captured by our incredible community, because this event was made special not just by the planning, but by the people who showed up and shared it.





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