The roar of the crowd and tightly packed stadium brings to mind a high-stakes and intense game of football. Athletes who have trained and are operating at peak performance compete and perform incredible feats of strength and strategy. After a long and hard road to the climax of the season, two teams face off and only one can leave a champion. This intense conclusion is every NFL player’s dream… but what we are talking about today doesn’t involve a football-shaped ball, but rather, a couple of round glass spheres. The National Rolley Hole Marbles Championship is an annual tournament and festival that’s considered the Super Bowl for marbles — and for many Tennesseeans, it’s just as exciting. 

The National Rolley Hole Marbles Championship has been a long-standing tradition for over 35 years and this annual event is proudly held at Standing Stone State Park.
Standing Stone State Park/ Facebook
You might think of the beautiful glistening water, or a lovely hike filled with wildflowers when I mention this state park, but in September, everyone is focused on one thing: marbles.
Marbles aren't just a retro children's game from the '50s; no, in Tennessee, marbles are serious business.
Standing Stone State Park/ Facebook
The best players in the world all come together to compete for bragging rights as the champion. Players will get low and strategically plan each and every shot with precision, skill, and clever wit. The game is to outsmart your opponents and work together with your partner to claim ultimate victory.
The tournament produced so much interest, it eventually turned into a full-fledged festival centered around the love of marbles. Alongside the players, artists and marble makers gather together to show off their craft.
Standing Stone State Park/ Facebook

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Much like the great players who show off spectacular skill, these artists will make incredible designs and beautiful marbles. Stay and watch a demonstration of how they put so much detail into a tiny little glass sphere.
Standing Stone State Park/ Facebook
Others will travel many miles to sell their marbles, and this pilgrimage to Standing Stone is always a highlight in the year. Browse through the colorful collections and take home a handful of these wonderfully crafted creations.
Standing Stone State Park/ Facebook
The whole event is filled with the sounds of bluegrass musicians and old-timey music.
Standing Stone State Park/ Facebook
This type of music has deep roots within the mountains of Tennessee and it seems like a fitting style for the sacred tradition of this highly regarded festival. Other games and activities will be scheduled throughout the event that can be fun for the whole family. Enjoy the music, the food, and the games, but make sure you don’t miss the main event: the tournament itself.
Many will come and challenge each other for the sweet taste of victory, but at the end of the day, only one team will walk away with the gold.
Standing Stone State Park/ Facebook

The National Rolley Hole Marbles Championship is the “Super Bowl” of marbles and is a time-honored tradition for those who indulge in this pastime. This is truly a one-of-a-kind event you will not want to miss! See the best of the best shoot their glass marbles for the win, enjoy the music, games, and food, for a day of family fun. If you are traveling in from far away, check out this nearby cabin with a hot tub for a night stay. For more information on the area, please visit the Standing Stone State Park website.  

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Standing Stone State Park, 1674 Standing Stone Park Hwy, Hilham, TN 38568, USA