Bowling with turkeys for a good cause

A Wood Dale tavern's weekend fundraiser is giving bowling fans the chance to play with food.

Crossroads Tavern & Eatery in Wood Dale is hosting its ninth annual Turkey Bowl from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday in its parking lot at 396 W. Irving Park Road.

Bowling balls aren't allowed in the competition.

Instead, competitors must knock over pins with 14-pound frozen turkeys wrapped in Duct tape. Generally, each turkey lasts about three games.

"They usually get busted up pretty good," said Paul Groh, co-owner of Crossroads of Wood Dale.

The tavern's parking lot will be transformed into a bowling alley.

Five lanes will span over a few large plastic drop cloths with regulation bowling pins at the other end.

Groh said he gets a kick out of watching normally great bowlers struggle with the turkeys.

"Usually, the really good bowlers are the ones that are terrible here because they try all kinds of fancy techniques that do not work with turkeys," he said.

Groh said he's not even sure it's possible to win without a little cheating. "There's really no form to this, no technique," he said.

Still, at least 50 teams have agreed to give it a roll. A large number of spectators are expected.

A game, consisting of four frames, costs $35 for a four-member team. It's not necessary to register in advance.

The turkey bowl is a tradition that began at the tavern's former Elmhurst location.

Each year, money is raised to benefit a charitable cause.

Proceeds from Sunday's event benefit the Bensenville Bull Dogs youth baseball league. Last year, the tavern raised roughly $700 for the league, Groh said.

The event usually is held during the football-free weekend before the Super Bowl to give sports fans something to do.

If you go

What: Crossroads Turkey Bowl

When: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Crossroads Tavern & Eatery, 396 W. Irving Park Road, Wood Dale

Cost: A game, consisting of four frames, costs $35 for a four-member team. It's not necessary to register in advance

Info: (630) 860-0055