By Allen Steele
South County Lanes is Payson’s destination for family fun. It was started out of a love for the game of bowling. Bud Marrott, the manager of South County Lanes since January of this year, is the latest to continue managing a family trust and a legacy. His Uncle Eldon founded the bowling alley in 2005 in order to host bowling leagues for local residents. In 2010, Bud’s mother Annette managed the bowling alley and tavern. Her mother is listed in Lemon’s Bowling Hall of Fame.
Bud has invested in renovations and added new attractions. Offering 16 bowling lanes, laser tag, pool tables, air hockey, classic arcade games, skee ball and a redemption center to pick a prize, there is something for just about everyone. Look them up on Facebook to take advantage of a special offer through October: one laser tag session, one bowling game and free shoe rental on Thursday nights for $6.
Bowling lanes have 42” displays sporting a new scoring system that is easy to read and use. Fun animations show you which pins fell, hail your success or console you with a funny reenactment of your last attempt. Come join a league or enjoy a Friday night “Cosmic Crush” from 9:15 p.m. to midnight. The bowling alley is transformed with music, sound effects, black lights, laser lighting and fog for a eerie and memorable experience. Be sure to mark your calendar on Nov. 28 to attend the Arrowhead Event Marketing Turkey Bowl with free bowling. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., laser tag is half price and Santa Claus will make an appearance between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
As you walk into South County Lanes, you may notice a set of doors that look like an entrance to an Egyptian pharaoh’s tomb. Raid an ancient Egyptian ruin with friends. Select a red or blue vest and get ready to have a blast shooting lasers to fame and glory. Be careful though, the ruins are full of crumbling stone walls, statues, flashing lights and fog and mummies are seen breaking through walls. Laser light shows move to the sound of musical scores. In addition, a variety of game options are available once you master the basic red vs. blue game. Be sure to ask about game options such as “Vampire,” where one player is given the role of vampire and everyone else is a peasant. The number of vampires increases as a peasant is hit enough times. The vampires win if they convert enough peasants, the peasants win if time runs out.
Come and try your skills at the pool table. The room is lit with lamps hung over the tables with a large selection of music from a jukebox to enjoy while you play. Do you enjoy throwing balls? Then head on over to Skee-Ball and win some tickets that you can redeem for a prize.
So much activity can build up an appetite. They have you covered with a snack bar where you can order cheeseburgers, fries, drinks and other classic favorites. Their french fries are famous. South County Lanes is located 122 W. 900 North in Payson. Take I-15 exit 250. Let the good times roll!
