The Battle of the Beaches took place on July 7. It was quite the competition with representatives of the host Riverside on Lake Zoar Association and Shady Rest Association competing in their first corn hole tournament — something members of the associations hope becomes an annual event.

In the end, Riverside prevailed, but it was a winning night for all as seven teams of two people from each group socialized and played this bean bag toss game for hours while socializing.

Priscilla DePaola, president of Shady Rest, and Kevin Shepard, president of Riverside, both said a benefit to having this tourney is that each association can learn something from the other — including possible ways to save on insurance.

“That’s a big part because it’s a lot to run an association,” Shepard said. “We depend on dues coming in.”

“I really like it because we get to know each other’s neighborhood and make more friends,” DePaola added.

Jamie McIntosh, of Shady Rest, said “getting together with neighbors” is the most enjoyable part of playing corn hole.

As for the games of corn hole, there were several boards set up — some on the beach, some on grass, and others in the gravel parking lot, all around the recently rebuilt pavilion that Riverside members made happen. Each corn hole set made for a unique experience with some boards having a more slippery surface than others, and bean bags all with varying levels of wear. Teams rotated for games. One representative of each association stood behind one board with their teammates 27 feet away at the other board. The goal was to score at least a point by landing a toss on the board, or better yet three by getting the bean bags into the holes.

“You think it’s easy putting a bean bag on a board. Some days it just doesn’t stick,” Shepard said. “It’s easy and it can be frustrating too.”

There are other associations on the lake, including one in Southbury and two in Sandy Hook, and it is possible all of these associations will hook up for corn hole or other events, Shepard said.

“This is great. It’s a lot of fun,” Riverside Association’s Jay Degenhardt said. “This is a blast.”

Members of the winning squad, from Riverside, are Billy Piccirillo, Jay Degenhardt, Patricia Shepard, Max Westphal, John Wheway, Kevin Shepard, Joe Madero, Michelle Madero, Marty Capaldo, Rose Wheway, Laura Gallagher, Frank Gallagher, and Sharon Capaldo.

Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.