Bowling may be one of the most traditional sports, but not any more. On Fridays, FHS students and teachers are throwing strikes amid glowing blacklights and flashing strobes as part of a new twist on an old favorite — cosmic bowling. “I heard the DJ say ‘Everyone ready to go?’ and then the light went black and black lights came up,” said 11th grade U.S. history history teacher Mark Armstrong. “There were strobe lights and music. I want to say it was like a disco.” Attempting to have fun with their children — without having to hire a baby-sitter — Armstrong and drafting teacher Dennis Lattimer took their families to Skyline Bowl on New Year’s Eve. According to the two teachers, the group had so much fun that it might become a tradition. “The girls got some fluorescent lipstick,” said Lattimer. “They painted their faces and then it was time to paint the dads.” Cosmic bowling is not restricted to Kalispell. Although it is new to the Flathead, cosmic bowling exists all over the United States. Some students have tried cosmic bowling in Missoula. Cosmic bowling started in Kalispell three weeks ago. It runs every Friday night from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.. All ages are allowed. The night includes a live DJ, low beverage prices, glow-in-the-dark rings, lipstick and face paint, and all-night contests. There is also cosmic bowling during league practice. “In league, I couldn’t see the mark, so it was hard to shoot,” said junior Trevor Blomquist. “There is all this crazy smoke and disco light that throw your vision off because (the lights) move.” Said the manager at Skyline Bowl, Vince Red Elk: “There are also some new plans which we project for this year in Cosmic bowling. In the next year, we’ll be having more black lights and our lanes will glow in the dark.” |
