Opening Day Road Bowl Tournament & Hike (new date: Mar. 22)

This event is postponed from the 15th to the 22nd in anticipation of  inclement weather on the earlier date. Historic Rugby reopens for 2025 with a special day of activities including a Road Bowling Tournament (sign-in Noon-12:30 Eastern at the NEW HARROW ROAD PUBLIC HOUSE, site of former Cafe) and a guided hike starting 10 a.m. Eastern at the Visitor Centre (no registration required), with a few early spring wildflowers in evidence. Tours of the historic buildings will be offered.  Join in the fun and bring the family!

We’re thrilled to welcome you to Historic Rugby’s Opening Weekend and the Annual Road Bowling Tournament on Saturday, March 22 at 11:00 AM EDT at the Harrow Road Public House lawn

Tournament Highlights

• Demos & Practice: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM on the lawn of the newly built Harrow Road Public House
• Registration: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM (Harrow Road Public House lawn) – Pick up t-shirts, scorecards, and cannon balls
• Tournament Kickoff: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at the Clear Fork Area Volunteer Fire Dept.
• Awards Ceremony: 4:00 PM, on the lawn of the Harrow Road Public House

Pre-Tournament Social – Friday, March 21, 2025
Want to size up the competition?

Join us Friday, March 21, for early registration and a pre-tournament social at 5:00 PM EDT. Enjoy snacks, drinks, and a chance to mingle with fellow participants.  We will offer demo classes and throws for you to hone your skills

Special thanks to our sponsor, Sawbriar Brewery – Follow them here!

6:00 PM—9:00 PM ET: Shuttle services to Sawbriar Brewery for craft brews, pizza, and wings. Pickup and drop-off will be on the Harrow Road Public House lawn.

Weekend Activities

• Historic Tours (Thurs-Sun) – Explore Rugby’s historic buildings
• Guided Hike (Sat, 10:00 AM ET) – One led by Jackie Broeker, another by Stephen McClure
• Village Attractions – Visit the historic print shop, art gallery, and local artisan shops

Food & Live Music

• Food & Drinks: Canteen & Cottage Catering (fish & chips and reuben sandwiches), Fire Dept. grill items, and beer from MoCo Brewing Project MoCo Brewing Project

Gather your road bowling team of 2, 3, or 4 and show your stuff.  Sign in at the Visitor Centre noon-12:30 Eastern then the tournament starts at 1 pm Eastern at the Clear Fork Area Volunteer Fire Department on the west end of Rugby near RM Brooks Store. Wind your way along Rugby Parkway to the finish line at the sign in front of the Harrow Road Public House. Winners are determined by the fewest number of throws to complete the course. Participants get a 2025 tournament wrist band at check-in as well as a cannon ball to roll and a score card. Rugby Irish Road Bowling t-shirts are available to purchase at registration.

ROAD BOWLING EVENT REGISTRATION LINKS FOR TEAMS OR INDIVIDUALS ARE HERE

End the day (or start it onsite) by staying in Historic Rugby’s unique lodgings. Check availability HERE. Come for the day or stay for the weekend in one of our cozy historic lodging options. Book a room in Newbury House or Percy Cottage or Ivy Cottage HERE

All proceeds help support the year-round preservation and educational efforts of Historic Rugby.

Special thanks to our tournament sponsor, the Morgan County Tourism Alliance (MCTA).

Benita (top) & friends

Irish Road Bowling is simple: Teams compete to throw a small cannonball along a predetermined course in the fewest number of throws. The game is always full of surprises (and searches for lost balls in the brambles!) and is a great way to make new friends.