Birthday parties flew into orbit at the Cosmic Bowling Night at the Burke AMC Bowling alley, as three different teenagers celebrated their birthday on Saturday night, Jan. 31. In a shroud of colored lights and rock ‘n’ roll music, it was a night for teens to be teens.
Fairfax resident Amber Walter was celebrating her birthday with the whole seventh grade from Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Burke. She expected approximately 28 people for the party.
"I've been bowling here for a long time," Amber said.
Kristen Brockway was looking forward to playing with the lights down for the first time. She had a secret weapon.
"I borrowed my mother's bowling ball," she said.
That night it was the birthday of both Burke resident Tory Dodson and Kaitlin Reskovac from Fairfax Station. Both girls were celebrating their 11th birthday.
"It makes a late party, but the girls love it," said Carol Reskovac.
Every weekend, after the leagues leave at 9 p.m., AMC turns down the lights, turns on the music and colored lights, and the lanes are turned over to the teens and pre-teens. It's been a staple at the bowling alley for 10 years. Danny Fields is the alley manager and looks toward the DJ to run the music.
"She takes requests from the kids, as long as it's appropriate," Fields said.
Sara Farrell manned the control desk.
"This is something the young kids can do. Being located in a neighborhood, it's the thing to do around here," Farrell said.
Allison Smedberg, 10, knew what she was looking for when finding a ball.
"It's the finger grip," she said.