On a clear Sunday morning, teams of four rolled 28-ounce cannonballs along a 2-mile path off the shores of Onondaga Lake. The teams were taking part in an annual Syracuse tradition: the Irish Road Bowling event, hosted by Onondaga County Parks and the Friends of Historic Onondaga Lake.

At the Road Bowling event, which has happened for the past nine years, teams roll the cannonball to the end of a snowbank-lined path and compete to see who can do so with the fewest amount of throws.

Joe Ostuni, president of the Friends of Historic Onondaga Lake, said the organization started the event as a way to “break the cabin fever” and bring people to Onondaga Lake during the underserved winter season. Specifically, he added, bowling seemed like the kind of activity that could make use of the trail and build some team spirit.

Ostuni said that, during the event’s first couple years, about 50 teams participated. Momentum has built — this year, 106 teams took part in the event. Proceeds go to Friends of Historic Onondaga Lake, which in turn creates projects that support Onondaga Lake Park.

Prizes are awarded to the first, second and third place teams, along with another award for the team with the best decorated cannonball.
Dan Lyon | Staff Photographer

Theresa Earl has been participating in Irish Bowling for about six years. Three of the four members of her team — which is named R.P. McMurphy after the protagonist in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” — went to high school together. All the team members were dressed in shades of green.

Even though her team hasn’t won yet, Earl isn’t concerned. She just enjoys participating, and added that the event “brings us all together.”

Lisa Weaver participated in the event both this year and last.

“It was 20 below zero, and the wind was blowing, and we spent the whole time huddling together, but it was fun,” Lisa Weaver said of the 2017 event.

This year, Weaver’s team was composed of old neighbors. She said her favorite part about the activity is spending time outside with friends during winter. Not only does Irish Road Bowling bring camaraderie to the area, but it also helps with tourism because participants often spend time at local shops and restaurants after the event, Weaver said.

Some of the teams had coordinating outfits. Dennis Sawyer, Paul and Patti White and Tim Sewall all donned green hats decorated with shamrocks and light-up green strings. Sawyer credits “the luck of the Irish” for bringing the team together, and they’ve been participating for the past eight years.

Patti, the team’s captain, said even though they’ve never won the rolling part of the event, they always win the ball decorating contest that happens prior to the start of the bowling.

Dan Lyon | Staff Photographer

“We never win the bowling. We’re artists, we’re not Neanderthal athletes,” Sewall said, and the entire team laughed.

After they cross the finish line, participants can head to local bars to drink Irish Bloody Marys and eat corned beef and cabbage. This year, food was provided by Limp Lizard Bar & Grill.

Irish Road Bowling was one way for Syracuse community members to participate in St. Patrick’s Day festivities this weekend. The actual holiday is celebrated on March 17, and the 36th annual Syracuse St. Patrick’s Day Parade took place that Saturday afternoon. With the theme “Dublin Down in the Emerald City,” the parade featured local Irish dance schools, floats from community organizations and decorated vehicles.

As team R.P. McMurphy wrapped up the course with 35 throws and headed past the finish line, Earl said: “I can’t believe it’s over, I want to go back.”

Published on March 18, 2018 at 9:48 pm

Contact Sandhya: ssiyer@syr.edu