Event benefits DFW Coming Out Project
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| Alan Reynolds, co-chair of the Dallas-Fort Worth Coming Out Project, poses with Rosemary Raffle at a previous Fruit Bowl. The theme for this year is tropical. The popular event gets underway Sunday afternoon at USA Bowl. |
The theme for the 2006 Fruit Bowl will be tropical, and should be more accessible for participants than last year’s fairy tale concept, a coordinator said.
Jonathan Boarman, co-chair of the Dallas-Fort Worth Coming Out Project, said coordinators expect the bowlers and spectators will enjoy dressing up in tropical attire for Sunday’s event.
“We thought it was something fun,” Boarman said. “It’s always a stretch to come up with something new and innovative.”
Boarman said the tropical theme would be simpler for the participants.
“It’s more difficult for a fairy tale theme because not everyone can show up in wings,” Boarman said. “There’s more variety with a tropical theme.”
Co-chair Alan Reynolds said bowlers are not required to wear costumes. But those who do add to the event’s reputation.
“Those creative folks that do dress to the occasion sure add to the festive atmosphere that has made Fruit Bowl such a fun local tradition,” Reynolds said.
Boarman said he plans to be in costume, but he is unsure how he will dress.
“We’ll have to see what happens,” Boarman said. “If I can run around and volunteer in a grass skirt, that might happen.”
The event that benefits the Dallas-Fort Worth Coming Out Project will be held at USA Bowl on Sunday at 2 p.m.
When the Fruit Bowl ends at 5 p.m., the party will continue with a Tropical Escape after-party at the Tin Room. There will be no admission charge to the after-party.
Jay Brown, a spokesman for the Human Right Campaign, said the Fruit Bowl is a unique way for a city’s GLBT residents to support their participation in the national group’s Coming Out Project.
“This is the only event in the nation that supports the Coming Out Project activities at the lane,” Brown said.
The local group began sponsorship of the Fruit Bowl in 2001.
The proceeds from the Fruit Bowl to to support coming out workshops, distribution of Human Rights Campaign automobile stickers and a multi-page special advertising section in The Dallas Morning News, which is planned for October.
Teams of four may register in advance at www.comeout.org or at the bowling center’s door at 1 p.m. USA Bowl is located at 10920 Composite Drive in Dallas. The Tin Room is located at 2514 Hudnall.
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This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, July 21, 2006.