By Kate Scriven
As Thanksgiving approaches, we enter a season often marked by traditions. Many families and communities thrive on traditions, which create memories and offer events we look forward to. Maybe it is a family recipe, anticipated all year but only brought out at the holidays. Perhaps it’s the “friendly” game of touch football in the backyard or simply the family walk after the over-indulgence of a Thanksgiving meal. Or maybe, it’s bowling.
Not just any bowling, but bowling with a frozen turkey, to be specific. For many in the Olympia area, a new tradition has developed over the last 4 years, spawned by the fun-loving and locally-grounded staff of Bayview Thriftway. Don’t despair, only 2 frozen turkeys are set aside for the actual bowling, along with a couple Cornish game hens for small children to use. However, you may walk away with your very own (non-bowled) turkey to grace your family’s Thanksgiving table. Every strike wins a turkey, hand selected by the meat manager, until the 12 free birds are gone. Not a bowling ace? A spare will earn you a bag of Bayview’s finest groceries, selected by the grocery department to compliment your holiday meals.
November 17, from 11am to 1pm, marks the fourth year of the event. It is held in the frozen food aisles of the store and attracts quite a crowd. Store director, Carol Lundblad, brought the idea to Bayview. They acquired some used pins from a local bowling alley, came up with a date and “just winged it” the first time. The community loved it and it’s become a tradition looked forward to by many. “Promotions can’t always be about sales,” says Lundblad. “Our customers are terrific people and we like to bring them into the store just for a little fun from time to time.”
One group who especially appreciates the Frozen Turkey Bowl is the Thurston County Food Bank. To participate in the Turkey Bowl, each bowler is asked to donate a non-perishable food item for the Thurston County Food Bank. Many bowlers bring an entire bag of items to donate and the event generated 2 overflowing carts of food last year. Past winners in the “spare” category have even donated the bag of groceries they just won, showing how generous Bayview customers truly are. During a season in which needs at our local food banks increase, but donations tend to slow down, the contributions are especially appreciated.
Lisa Ishler, manager of Bayview’s Meat Department and the one tasked with selecting the prize turkeys, says her favorite part of the event is “the excitement it creates in the store. There are people laughing, clapping and cheering each other on.” The site of grown men and women launching a frozen turkey “granny style” down a grocery store aisle is bound to create some genuine entertainment. Kids enjoy the event as much, or more, than the adults. Imagine your parents telling you to go ahead and throw food IN THE STORE! Little ones even get excited to serve on the support crew, helping re-set pins for other bowlers. “It’s a great way to get the community together to kick off our holiday season,” says Ishlar.
Want to join in the fun? Simply stop by Bayview Thriftway, located in Downtown Olympia, on Saturday, November 17from 11am – 1pm. The line forms at the back of the store, in front of the meat department. Follow the laughter and you’re sure to find it! Remember to bring your donation to the Thurston County Food Bank and be ready for a good time. Kids, of course, are invited and encouraged to attend. And who knows? You may go home with a nice head start on your Thanksgiving meal!
