The Allegheny County Parks Department today announced the kick-off of the 2010 Allegheny County Marbles Program beginning on Fri., March 26. Clinics and competitions will take place through May at various locations throughout Allegheny County, including Boyce, Harrison Hills, North and South parks. The marbles program is free to children and youth ages 14 and under.

All local champions will qualify to enter the Allegheny County Championship, which will take place from June 3 through 5 in the Courthouse Courtyard. All County winners will receive a County Champion T-Shirt and will qualify to compete in the 87th National Marbles Championship in Wildwood, N.J., from June 21 through 25.

Allegheny County’s Marbles Program has a produced a number of national champions. 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 schedule is available on the Allegheny County website.