Strike a deal! Where to bowl free Saturday for National Bowling Day

Kelly Tyko | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Video: The timeless bowling shoe gets a makeover In a national design contest called Bebowled, bowlers are being asked to come up with a fresh look for rental shoes.

UPDATED: National Bowling Day is over and was Aug. 11. GoBowling.com’s coupon for free bowling is valid through Aug. 31. See details below.

If you have time to spare Saturday, you can strike a deal for National Bowling Day.

Bowling alleys and centers across the country are marking the occasion by offering free and discounted games, Aug. 11.

The made-up holiday was first held in 1956 and is traditionally recognized the second Saturday in August.

According to the bowling industry, more than 67 million Americans take to the lanes each year and bowling is considered the largest participatory sport.

At most alleys, bowling shoes are not included so you’ll need to rent a pair or bring your own.

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The deals

Participation can vary. Check with your closest location before heading out.

Bowlero Corporation: The nation’s largest operator of bowling centers is offering free games Saturday at participating AMF, Bowlmor Lanes, Bowlero and Brunswick Zone locations. But to get this deal, you need the new BowlMojis smartphone app, only available in the Apple App Store. Show the app at centers' front desks to score a free game. Find participating locations at www.nationalbowlingday.com.

It’s a tough day for pins... but a great day for you! National Bowling Day returns this Saturday, August 11th. Come in and bowl 1 FREE GAME when you download our BowlMojis sticker pack for iPhone! Download here: https://t.co/a8v34Nlnv5 pic.twitter.com/grnSvins1U — Brunswick Zone (@BowlBrunswick) August 6, 2018

GoBowling.com: If you can't go bowling Saturday, you have through the end of the month to get a free game at more than 1,700 bowling centers nationwide with this promotion. Sign up for a coupon at www.gobowling.com/nbd. According to the coupon's fine print, it can only be redeemed between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at participating centers "when lanes are available and unreserved."

Happy #NationalBowlingDay! Do you have #bowling plans today? Download your FREE GAME coupon now!: https://t.co/8icoItD1kW Then, be sure to share photos of your game with #WeGoBowling for a chance to be featured on our website! pic.twitter.com/4l4cpiR83w — GoBowling (@GoBowlingdotcom) August 11, 2018

Local alleys: If your closest bowling alley isn’t participating in one of the larger promotions, check Facebook and social media for individual offers. Some locations will email coupons.

Kids' deals: Summer bowling programs are still going on. Through Aug. 31, kids ages 15 and younger can bowl two games a day for free at participating bowling alleys nationwide with the Kids Bowl Free program. Preregistration at www.kidsbowlfree.com is required and most bowling alleys require shoe rental.. Participating AMF, Bowlmor, Bowlero or Brunswick Zone locations also have a discounted Summer Games program through Sept. 3. Learn more at www.bowlsummergames.com.

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Kelly Tyko is a consumer columnist and retail reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Read her Bargainista tips at TCPalm.com/Bargainista, follow her on Twitter @KellyTyko and email her at kelly.tyko@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her weekly newsletter at www.tcpalm.com/featured-newsletter/bargainistabest.