The Allegheny County Marbles Tournament kicks off today, Thursday, June 1, and continues through Saturday, June 4, in the Courtyard of the Allegheny County Courthouse. The tournament begins at 2:00 p.m. today, and Friday’s play also starts at 2:00 p.m. The finals will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. The winners will qualify to compete in the 88th National Marbles Championship in Wildwood, N.J., from June 20 through 24.

Allegheny County’s Marbles Program has a produced a number of national champions. In 2010, Penelope Bauer of Pittsburgh, won the girls national championship, and Bailey Narr of Pittsburgh secured the title of girls national runner-up. In 2008, John Leffakis of Lawrenceville was crowned the boys national champion and Amber Ricci of Glenshaw was crowned the girls national champion. Alexandra Bauer of Bloomfield was the girl’s national champion in 2007, and Keith Moss of the South Side was crowned boys national champion in 2006. Jamie Miller of the South Side was crowned boys national champion in 2005, and his cousin, Carly Miller, was girls national champion in 2004.

The marbles program is free to children and youth ages 14 and under. For additional information, contact Ed Ricci at 412-260-7278.