RANGE OF EMOTIONS — Legendary entertainer and Steubenville native Dean Martin is pictured participating in the Tucson Open, in a photo provided by the Dean Martin Association. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — A new event being introduced to the annual Dean Martin Hometown Festival will unite the eponymous entertainer’s love for golf and charitable giving, while making history in his hometown, organizers say.

Since 1996, the City of Steubenville has celebrated the life and legacy of Dean Martin, who was born in Steubenville on June 7, 1917. This year’s festival is presented by the Dean Martin Association and a team of collaborators, who hope to revitalize the celebration with a fresh lineup of activities.

One such activity is the inaugural Dean Martin Association Charity Golf Scramble, which will take place June 13 at the Steubenville Country Club.

Many people know Dean Martin as a singer, actor or TV host, but fewer know of his reputation as a celebrated golfer. The game was an escape for Martin amid the various pressures of showbiz, recalled Dean Martin Association Vice President Cindy Williford.

“When we began planning the festival, one thing that I told the team was that I wanted to have a golf outing, and they thought I had flipped my head,” she said. “But it was important to me because it was important to Dean. … We do a lot of celebrating the movies and music and the Rat Pack, but we don’t do enough celebrating what he brought to the game of golf.”

Williford said she spoke with officials at the Steubenville Country Club, who quickly jumped on the idea.

The scramble is historic, being only the second golf outing named after Dean, Williford said. The other was the Tucson Open in Arizona, which Martin hosted from 1972 to 1975. It’s fitting that the scramble is taking place in his hometown, Williford said, adding that organizers hope to make it an annual tradition.

Beginning with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m., the event is a foursome scramble, with entry fees set at $500 for a team and $150 for a single golfer.

There are four levels of sponsorship, each with a name that give a nod to Martin’s career: “Ocean’s 11” platinum sponsorship, $3,000; “Everybody Loves Somebody” gold sponsorship, $2,000; “That’s Amore” silver sponsorship, $1,000; and “The Caddy” bronze sponsorship, $500. Every level offers unique display benefits.

Sponsorships are also available for the 18 holes, which are named after Martin’s songs, ranging from “Things” to “King of the Road.”

Those wishing to be a sponsor or participate in the scramble can contact Williford at (512) 876-7552 or deanmartinassoscramble2025@gmail.com.

A drawing will also take place during the event. All proceeds generated by the scramble will benefit the Ohio Valley Health Center, a free clinic in Steubenville that serves medically uninsured or underinsured residents of the Ohio Valley.

Charitable giving was a passion for Martin and even motivated his involvement with the Tucson Open, Williford said. That passion pervades the Dean Martin Association, an independent and officially sanctioned non-profit organization that sponsors the Muscular Dystrophy Association and endeavors to publicize Martin’s modest philanthropy in life.

“The charity aspect was big for Dean,” Williford said. “We will never know how charitable he was. He did so many things without anyone knowing.”

The scramble is just one way organizers are broadening the Dean Martin festival’s appeal.

Scheduled for June 12-14, the festival will offer activities for people of all ages: A 5K run/walk, a parade, tribute shows, a meatball eating contest, live music, a 1950s street dance, a car cruise-in, karaoke, trolley rides and historical tours.

Another major addition to the festival is a Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis telethon, live at Franciscan Square at 2 p.m. June 14. Starring Joe Scalissi and Matt Maciis, the event will be livestreamed and support the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“There’s new and exciting stuff all over the city for everyone, and we’re really excited about the involvement and participation,” Williford said of the festival. “You won’t be lacking in places to go and things to do.”