PATCHOGUE, N.Y.—This vibrant south shore community on Long Island about halfway from Manhattan to Montauk Point is becoming known as a hot bed for music and the arts. This year, The Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce decided to resurrect a tradition that began in 1919—an Italian Festival that was an annual event until 1962.

Part of this year’s festivities included a Bocce Tournament. Festival organizer Tom Keegan turned to Christopher Capobianco, a sales consultant, and executive director of the Long Island Floor Covering Association (LIFCA).

They figured, since a regulation Bocce court is 12 x 60 and carpet comes 12 feet wide, if a donor could be found, the court could be rolled out wherever Keegan wanted it. Capobianco sent out an appeal and before long a reply came back saying Karastan wanted to help.

It just so happens that Karastan’s territory manager is Thomas Capobianco, Christopher’s uncle, so it became a family project—no surprise to people in the industry since the family has been active in the local flooring scene since the 1930s, operating three retail businesses: Glen Floors in Glen Cove, Fred’s Carpet in East Northport and Cappy’s Carpet in Port Jefferson. Despite the retail history of the family, Thomas and Christopher have both worked in wholesale since the 1990s, Thomas on the carpet side and Christopher as an agent in hard surfaces.

Mohawk’s Karastan division donated a brown cut pile carpet and shipped it to LIFCA member Fran Derby Floors in Patchogue. It turns out the location selected was right outside Capobianco’s office. The festival and Bocce tournament were a big success. Keegan plans to put the carpet into storage so that it can be used again as the festival continues in the future.