My introduction to candlepin bowling in Maine was going to the Strike and Spare bowling alley in Kezar Falls. That’s where my grandfather, an avid bowler, was in a league.
My cousins and I loved going with our Grandpa Maine — that’s what we called him — because we didn’t have that kind of bowling near us. This was even true for my cousins who lived in Connecticut. That’s because they didn’t have candlepin bowling where they lived near New Haven. It was regular 10-pin bowling there.
You may be curious about candlepin bowling given the recently Maine Public Radio story, which NPR picked up: “A Maine community comes together to save a candlepin bowling tradition.”
Where to go candlepin bowling in Southern Maine
The bowling alley in that NPR story is not in Southern Maine. And of the 11 alleys the ICBA says are in Maine, fewer than half are in Southern Maine.
However, I did my own research. Therefore, I’ve found a few more to add to the list. Here is an alphabetical list, by name of alley, to places in Southern Maine that offer candlepin bowling. FYI, you may have heard this kind of bowling as candlestick bowling. Candlestick? Candlepin? It’s all the same.
Finally, some of these bowling alleys may offer a senior discount.
Archie’s Strike & Spare Candlepin Bowling, Parsonsfield, Maine
Archie’s is what the lanes are called where my grandfather, my cousins and I would go bowling years ago. The building is in the same location. However, it’s now called Parsonsfield (since Kezar Falls no longer exists as a legit town).
Even though vintage candlestick bowling continues, the alley itself and atmosphere has been modernized somewhat. For example, instead of just offering bowling, Archie’s now has regular trivia nights plus free WiFi.
Also, Archie’s still has regular bowling leagues. That is, there are leagues for men, women, co-ed teams and kids.
Archie’s Strike and Spare, 135 Federal Street (Route 25), Kezar Falls, ME, 207-625-9508
(Fall/Winter) Hours
- Monday 3-9p
- Tuesday Closed
- Wednesday 3-9p
- Thursday 3-9p
- Friday 2p – 10p
- Saturday 10a-10p
- Sunday 10a-8p
Big 20 Bowling Center, Scarborough, Maine
The Big 20 Bowling Center has been around since 1950. Located right on Route One in Scarborough, it has 20 lanes of candlepin bowling. No surprise, I guess, since it is called the Big 20.
Every Friday and Saturday nights, the Big 20 hosts “Rock N Glow” bowling. It’s glow-in-the-dark bowling set to classic rock and current pop music.
Rock N Glow Bowling/Photo courtesy of Big 20
Big 20 Bowling Center, 382 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME, 207-883-2131
Big 20 Bowling Center Hours
- Monday 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Tues. 9:30 am to 10:00 pm
- Wednesday 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Thursday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, 4:00 to 10:00
- Friday 9:30 am to 10:00 pm
- Saturday 9:30 am to 10:00 pm
- Sunday 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
The Entertainment Book of Southern Maine may have bowling coupons inside.
Bowl-a-Rama, Sanford, Maine
You’ll find 20 lanes of candlepin bowling at Bowl-a-Rama aka Sanford Bowl.
Bowl-a-Rama, 1217 Main St, Sanford, ME 207-324-2401
Hours
- Monday: 10:00AM–8:00PM
- Tuesday: 10:00AM–9:00PM
- Wednesday: 10:00AM–9:00PM
- Thursday: 10:00AM–8:00PM
- Friday: 10:00AM–9:00PM
- Saturday: 11:00AM–9:00PM
- Sunday: 12:00PM–6:00PM
Saco Valley Sports Center, Fryeburg, Maine
Not only does Saco Valley Sports Center have 16 lanes of candlepin bowling, but also there is a golf simulator, pool tables and an arcade. Formerly, you may have known it as the Saco Valley Lanes.
Note: don’t try to go bowling here during the annual Fryeburg Fair. The bowling alley is always closed.
Saco Valley Sports Center, 95 Pine St, Route 302, Fryeburg, ME 207-935-3777
Hours
- Mon CLOSED
- Tue 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wed 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Thu 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Fri 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Sat 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sun CLOSED
West-Port Bowling Lanes, Westbrook, Maine
You know why this candlepin bowling alley is called West-Port? Because it sits close to the border of both Westbrook and Portland.
Last year, West-Port Bowling Lanes hosted the Maine State Candlepin Classic Tournament. This is the only candlepin bowling center that is closest to Portland.
West-Port Bowling Lanes, 135 Maine St, Westbrook, ME, 207-854-9311
Hours
- Monday CLOSED
- Tuesday opens at 9:00 am
- Wednesday opens at 9:00 am
- Thursday opens at 10:00 am
- Friday opens at 10:00 am
- Saturday opens at 12:00 pm
- Sunday opens at 12:00 pm
Facts about candlepin bowling
Let me give you a quick rundown of candlepin bowling vs regular bowling.
What states have candlepin bowling?
Since candlepin seems to be a very New England thing, I just assumed that they have candlepin bowling alleys in all of the New England states. Nope.
According to the International Candlepin Bowling Association (ICBA), only these three New England states have candlepin bowling alleys:
- Massachusetts: 17
- New Hampshire: 8
- Maine: 11
Though this website is devoted to Southern Maine, I may write separate articles about candlepin bowling alleys in other parts of Maine as well as New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Let me know if this is something you’d be interested in reading.
Where did candlepin bowling originate?
According to the ICBA, candlepin bowling got its start in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Differences: candlepin vs 10 pin bowling
There are a number of differences between candlepin bowling and 10-pin bowling. This includes:
- bowling pins
- bowling balls
- frames for bowling
Let me explain those differences in detail.
Bowling pins
In candlepin bowling, you are trying to knock down 10 bowling pins like in regular bowling. FYI, “regular” bowling is called ten-pin bowling, which is weird since both games use 10 pins.
However, the pins in candlepin are cylindrical whereas “regular” bowling pins are bottom heavy.
Candlepin bowling pins vs regular bowling pins
Balls used for bowling
The candlepin bowling ball is more akin to a bocce ball, in that it can fit in your hand. There are no finger holes. A candlepin bowling ball weighs under three pounds.
On the other hand, a “regular” bowling ball is similar in size to a soccer ball or basketball. Therefore, you need the three finger holes to hold it. Finally, regular bowling balls weigh anywhere from six pounds to 16 pounds.
Candlepin bowling ball vs full-size bowling ball
Number of bowling frames
In ten-pin bowling, you have two frames per throw to knock down the 10 pins. The only exception to this rule is the last frame of a game. If you happen to get a strike in your first frame, then you have two more frames to bowl to end the game.
On the other hand, you always have three frames during candlepin bowling. Also, unless the rules have changed, the lane is not “swept” or cleaned up in between frames. Therefore, you can use the deadwood (pins that have fallen down) to help knock down other pins until your turn is over.
Candlepin and tenpin bowling are hardly the only kinds. This article on Groupon.com explains other kinds of bowling you might enjoy.
Here are places where kids can bowl for free in Southern Maine. Also, if you’re looking for rainy day things to do in Maine, candlepin bowling is a terrific options
Finally, if you have any other questions about candlepin bowling, please post a comment and I’ll see if I can track down the answer.