My first job as a teenager was as a dishwasher at a bowling alley coffee shop. This particular bowling alley was around the corner from my house.
My mom was a very good bowler in her day and she had dozens of trophies proudly displayed in our living room. My dad even liked bowling – I believe it was because it was a sport that actively involved drinking beer.
So, I would have good reason to hang out at the bowling alley, whether it be when I was working or just watching my parents at their weekly bowling leagues.
That’s one reason I’m looking forward to the Professional Women’s Bowling Association’s upcoming Fountain Valley Open at Fountain Bowl. The best female bowlers in the world will be coming to Fountain Valley for the three-day tournament, June 13-15.
Following official practice on Thursday, June 13, qualifying starts at 9 a.m. Friday, June 14. The field is reduced to 32 and then to 12 on Saturday. Finally, the finals are set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday and will be livestreamed on BowlTV.
Local bowlers, take note: Saturday will conclude with a “Bowl with the Pros” tournament. Official rules and entry forms are available at pwba.com/Tournaments/Schedule. Cost is $70 for adults, $50 for seniors and $40 for youths. Five dollars of the entry fee will be donated to Brightening Veterans’ Lives.
Fountain Bowl is at 17110 Brookhurst St. For more information, call 714-963-7888.
And there’s another big event in town happening in June. Are you ready for Summerfest?
The 11th annual four-day festival is set for June 20 to 23 at the Fountain Valley Sports Park and is expected to attract big crowds with amusement rides, live entertainment, lots of carnival food options and much more.
Admission to Summerfest is free, but it does cost to park in the Sports Park parking lots.
Summerfest hours are: June 20: 5 to 10 p.m. ($2 Ride Night — typically the busiest night of the event); June 21: 5 to 11 p.m. ($5 beer and wine specials/live bands/Community Stage); June 22: 2 to 11 p.m. (The 13th annual Classic Car & Truck Show starts at 7 a.m. Saturday). There’s a fireworks show when it gets dark. Sunday’s hours are 2 to 10 p.m.
Ride wristbands are good for one full day — except Thursday — for unlimited carnival rides. Each wristband is only good for one person.
You can purchase an unlimited ride wristband at a discounted rate of $75 (good for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which includes a free all-event general admission parking pass). Those purchasing wristbands online prior to Summerfest can select a local nonprofit, school or athletic group as a fundraising beneficiary. The selected group will receive $4 for each wristband sold.
Unlimited single-day ride wristbands will be available at the event for $30 at the carnival ticket booth anytime during event hours.
Also, schools, ball teams, churches and nonprofits can raise money with this year’s new dunk tank. Bring your cash, and buy one ball for $2, or three balls for $5. All money goes to the nonprofit manning the dunk tank during that hour.
Saturday’s dunk tank schedule, in fact, is devoted entirely to schools in the Fountain Valley School District. It’s an opportunity to dunk your favorite teacher, principal or school administrator.
For more information on the dunk tank, contact Liana Taylor at lianakt@aol.com