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Considered the empty stomach’s last resort - food trucks - and an obscure Italian ball game proved to be the perfect combination for an afternoon of fun that benefited FOOD Share of Ventura County. Food trucks (pictured above left) have gone glorious gourmet especially in Los Angeles, where finding your favorites has become a game of Twitter alerts and Facebook paging. (Above right) The popularity of bocce ball is growing: Limoneira has a dozen professional grade dirt courts across from the park at its Cummings Road headquarters. The concept is simple: a white ball - the pallino - is tossed down the court and two teams throw different colored balls to see who can get closest to it. |
Unique Gourmet Food Truck & Bocce Ball Festival returning in July, August
June 29, 2011
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Santa Paula has another unique activity feather in its things to do this summer hat: the Gourmet Food Truck & Bocce Ball Festival held June 12 at Limoneira Ranch, the first of three to be held. The celebration of what used to be considered the empty stomach’s last resort - food trucks - and an obscure Italian ball game proved to be the perfect combination for an afternoon of fun that benefited FOOD Share of Ventura County.
Food trucks have gone glorious gourmet especially in Los Angeles, where finding your favorites has become a game of Twitter alerts and Facebook paging. And bocce ball, although not yet mainstream, has become a favored pastime at the Limoneira courts.
FOOD Share of Ventura County, Giammanco Productions and Jason Collis, owner and head chef of Jonathan’s at Peirano’s restaurant located in Ventura, sponsored the festival. Collis has worked closely with Limoneira on past events, including last year’s Bocce Ball, Blues & BBQ. The event drew hundreds of people who enjoyed the food and bocce ball and a full day of music by various bands.
The popularity of bocce ball is growing: Limoneira has a dozen professional grade dirt courts across from the park at its Cummings Road headquarters. The concept is simple: a white ball - the pallino - is tossed down the court and two teams throw different colored balls to see who can get closest to it.
Probably an attraction for the ancient Romans who invented it and appreciated the low-key game was that it would not exhaust the energy better devoted to empire building and debauchery.
“The food trucks add another element to the bocce event,” said John Chamberlain, Limoneira’s marketing director. “There are a lot of items that you don’t get to see in Ventura County. You can get a little here and there from the different trucks to experience a lot of the offerings,” and the food along with the bands and bocce “makes for a relaxing and fun afternoon.” Chamberlain added, “We’re really looking forward to the next event on July 24th.”
An added attraction is while festivalgoers enjoy the fine food they are helping to feed others: FOOD Share provides food to programs throughout Ventura County including those in Santa Paula.
The next Gourmet Food Truck & Bocce Ball Festival will be held July 24 (another is also scheduled for August 14), from noon to 6 p.m. Chamberlain again promises guests will enjoy “a day of sunshine filled with supreme cuisine,” available for purchase from the gourmet trucks, “great music, and a chance to team up and play a couple rounds of bocce ball with friends and family!”
Tickets are $15 for adults online, $20 at the door. Children that are 5-12 years of age are $10, and 5 years of age and under are free. Space is limited for this exclusive event! For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.boccefestival.com.
