The Liberty Belle Invitational will welcome more than 200 bowlers to celebrate its 25th anniversary over the Fourth of July weekend.
The tournament welcomes LGBT bowling leagues from across the country and Canada, with groups and individuals coming from throughout Pennsylvania, New York, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Washington and California.
Three Philadelphia-area leagues host the tournament: Philadelphia Gay Bowling League, Rainbow Rollers and Suburban Gay Bowling League.
LBI director Ralph Fera said the tournament’s longevity has made it one of the most well-known bowling tourneys in the country.
“The fact that we have done this for 25 years and it’s considered as one of the most consistent and better-run tournaments is wonderful,” he said. “We have a pretty large prize fund and we generally give away $15,000-$25,000 in prizes for our bowlers.”
Fera, who has helmed LBI for six years, said it has been a challenge to find new participants for the tournament and in the sport.
“We want to get young people involved and be a part of the bowling leagues during the year,” he said. “A lot of us have been doing it for many years and it is a lot of work and we are enthusiastic about it, but we are always looking for new blood.”
Registration and eight-pin no-tap play begins 3-10 p.m. July 5 at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Route 73 South, Maple Shade, N.J., and the festivities continue at 9 a.m. the following day with singles and doubles competition. Team competition begins 10:30 a.m. July 7, and the tournament wraps up with a cocktail hour at 5 p.m. and awards banquet at 6 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia, 237 S. Broad St.
LBI will also host a fundraiser at Tavern on Camac at 8 p.m. July 6. Cost of the event is $40, which will include dinner and a complimentary Stoli cocktail, with proceeds going to LBI and Mazzoni Center.
Fera said the tournament is always held on the Fourth of July weekend, which helps solidify the event’s consistency — and is a great time to visit Philadelphia.
“Our goal is to have a tournament people can count on,” Fera said. “We offer a nice free lunch, a banquet and good hotel service. Our goal is to remain consistent, and the Fourth of July is a good weekend because it gives a lot of reasons for people to come to Philly and celebrate our country.”
For more information, visit www.lbievents.com or www.libertybelle.org.