Finlander Bocce Ball tourney just gets better every year

‘Play bocce ball the Finlander way—on the ice!’

By Terry Carlson – February 6, 2025

You may be familiar with “bocce ball.” It’s a warm weather ball sport that originated in Italy, where players aim to roll their bocce balls closest to a smaller target ball called the “pallino.” It can be played in teams or individually and is popular in many countries around the world.

However, in northern climes during winter, bocce ball is really a misnomer because a ball is not used (although there is winter bocce ball version where players see who can roll snowballs closest to the marker, which can be a rock or pine cone).

But in our neck of the woods, it’s done on ice. Ice bocce ball—or more locally, Finlander bocce ball—is different. It’s sort of where curling meets bocce ball. It isn’t played with ball, but with round wooden disks (basically sawed-off tree limbs or trunks) with handles. But it’s exciting, it’s fun, and it’s guaranteed to warm the cockles of your heart—and any other cockles that need warming.

Jolene Mrozak is in her third year organizing the annual Finlander Bocce Ball Tournament on behalf of the Tower-Soudan Lake Vermilion Area Events Board (“Play bocce ball the Finlander way, on the ice”). Although not a fan of winter, she thoroughly enjoys being involved in the event, “It gets me out of my winter shell.”

The sport is growing in popularity each year. In addition to the participants and sponsors, many spectators—even out-of-area folks—show up for the event. But locally, it’s a winter get together for friends and neighbors. “It pulls community together,” Mrozak added.

Seven bocce teams competed, but Mrozak wants more participants. “My goal is to get ten teams each year.”

This year’s event was held on Saturday, January 25 on Lake Vermilion at the Your Boat Club Lake Vermilion Marina in Tower, who also put out a dock section for people to get on and off the ice. The Lake Vermilion Weiner Cruiser was on hand providing food, and it was capped off with a toasty bonfire.

Congrats to the team that took First Place this year: The Jason Carlson team, comprised of Jason, Lisa Bidal, Nate Dostert, and Michelle Moore.

Photos courtesy of Jolene Mrozak

TOP PHOTO: Eloranta Team (Left) Vogh Team (Right)