It's a strike, a spare. It's turkey bowling

[November 24, 2008]  CINCINNATI (AP) -- Set up the pins, clear the lanes and try not to roll a gutter bird.

Cincinnati is warming up for Thanksgiving with its traditional Turkey Bowl, an annual outdoor event using frozen turkeys in place of bowling balls.

Contestants will try to knock down 10 pins Tuesday by sliding rock-hard birds down a lane on the holiday season ice skating rink on downtown's landmark Fountain Square.

The person with the highest score after three rounds wins $100 cash and "WKRP in Cincinnati" DVDs including the series' famous "Turkeys Away" episode.

That's the one about a station promotion in which live giveaway turkeys are dropped out of a helicopter to their deaths -- because the station manager thought turkeys could fly.

The frozen birds used in Turkey Bowl are discarded store turkeys not intended for anyone's table.

The event is sponsored by Jack Rouse Associates, a local company that designs theme park and museum attractions.

[Associated Press]

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