ROME — Competitors on the 130 or so teams in two divisions at the World Series of Bocce mixed with hundreds of spectators and supporters for a crowd of over a thousand at the Toccolana Club on Friday, the second day of the four-day event, now in its 47th year.

The World Series got underway Thursday with opening ceremonies, the start of women’s division play and three skills contests. Todd Lanzi won the sixth annual Facciolo Brothers Spock Shot Challenge. Kristin Ciotti won the women’s pointing contest and Brian Wilcox won the men’s pointing contest.

Joe Mellace, one of the event organizers, said it was the best participation numbers for the skills competitions at a World Series.

Co-organizer Mike Ferlo called it “a great turnout” as he walked to his team’s first game Friday. Weaving through the crowd, he said, “People are just ready. They’ve been inside for over two years.” The World Series didn’t take place in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic. “Just want to get out here and enjoy the weather.” It was sunny and in the low 80s in the first hour of the day’s games at 5 p.m.

Ferlo said this year’s event is a special one for him, the first since his father, Guy Ferlo, died in May. When Mike Ferlo made the ceremonial first toss Thursday, he said, it was a tribute to his father.

“It’s going great,” Ferlo said. “Spectator numbers are really high.”

Mellace and Ferlo credited Al Scerra and Bernie Colangelo for their work to get the courts in pristine shape for the event. There are 15 courts between indoor and covered, outdoor locations.

Roger Panara and Joe Froio were awaiting their first game of the event for Bottini Funeral Home. “I’m glad to be back,” said Panara, a Roman who has played for over 30 years. He gestured to the big crowd. “I was surprised. It’s so early and we have so many people.” Panara has three sons at the event from out of town, one playing on the team and two more as spectators (one also has his Rome Free Academy class reunion coinciding with the World Series).

“Rome is the bocce center of the east coast,” Panara said. While other tournaments have had a decrease in participation, the World Series is back to form in 2022, he noted.

“I’m excited,” said Froio, who said he’s played in every World Series so far. He said he had been looking forward to seeing people from out of town.

Jerry Fiorini, part of a newly-formed team for Kekis Citgo, has been participating in the World Series since high school in 1985.

“It’s great for everybody, for the community,” he said of the return to the World Series after the two-year layoff. “This is a big part of Rome right here. Everybody’s here to support the event.” He added: “Everybody gets to see friends they haven’t seen in years. It’s like a family reunion.”