A farewell party will mark the final frame at the iconic Beacon Bowl, which is closing this weekend after the bowling alley operated more than 65 years in North Naples.

The Final Farewell bowling tournament and three live bands will be part of the festivities Sunday, Aug. 18, commemorating the last day of Bowland Beacon. The local bowling alley at 5400 Tamiami Trail N., across from Waterside Shops, was sold to make way for a major redevelopment project—a six-story boutique hotel with a luxurious private club. Expect demolition of the bowling alley and the adjacent former veterinarian office this fall for The Carnelian hotel.

“It’s a very emotional time. They’ve been there for so many years,” said Bev Larson, a local Realtor who is determined to find another spot for the Beacon to relocate in North Naples, preferably along Immokalee Road. “We know we’ll be building something bigger and better.”

The longtime bowling alley near the northeast corner of U.S. 41 and Pine Ridge Road started as Pine Lanes in 1957 and was renamed Beacon Bowl in 1978, when it expanded from 16 to 24 lanes under new ownership. Before long, “Freakin’ at the Beacon” became a striking night out and Nemo’s Sports Cafe, the bar inside, became known for its legendary wings.

The venue is memorable as more than a space for open bowling among families and friends or even bowling perfect games in weekly leagues; it became crucial for celebrating birthdays and other milestones.

“It’s definitely a landmark in the area. It’s my baby. That’s my first center,” said Bowland co-owner Pat Ciniello, who met his wife, Lisa, there decades ago and created a bowling dynasty. It’s been a sentimental journey for the Ciniellos, who will celebrate their 40th anniversary in December.

Inevitably, the longtime local venue has marked many other personal milestones.

“Oh, there have been people married there. We’ve had celebrations at the bar for many celebrations of life over the years there—showers, weddings on the approaches,” Ciniello said.

The Beacon also has attracted its share of celebrities over the years. Staying at The Ritz-Carlton in Naples between gigs in the early 1990s, members of the Rolling Stones were Freakin’ at the Beacon. Not only did Mick Jagger bowl, but some of his band and backup singers jammed with the local band playing that night at Nemo’s.

Ciniello’s son, who was working at the alley that evening, comped everything for the band and collected some mementos. “He took home the rental shoes that Mick wore and the bowling ball that he was bowling with,” Ciniello said.

While nobody else had moves like Jagger, the bowling Stones are not the only ones with impressive stature to visit the Beacon.

“Larry Bird used to pop in every so often and have chicken wings,” Ciniello said of the NBA legend who had a home in Naples.

Other sports notables stopping by the Beacon included Miami Dolphins players Dan Marino and Jim “Crash” Jensen, who bowled with their significant others. The Beacon also partnered with the Dolphins players and cheerleaders for a Make-A-Wish fundraiser that made five wishes possible at $10,000 each.

Immokalee-born Edgerrin James, a former NFL running back, would come in with his entire family and friends at least once a year for a big get-together. The Stanley Cup even visited the Beacon because one of Nemo’s customer’s sons played for the Tampa Bay Lightning when the team won the NHL hockey championship.

Lou Diamond Phillips, who was playing King Arthur in the national Broadway tour of Camelot at The Phil in March 2008, came over after the Naples shows that week with the stage crew to shoot pool and have drinks. Phillips gave the bartenders tickets to the show as his guests.

While staying across the street from the Beacon, Jason Alexander of the TV series “Seinfeld” came over for a couple of drinks and a game of bowling with friends. Actress Daisy Fuentes also bowled there, but she couldn’t drink because she was carded and did not have her ID with her. Rocker Bob Seger, a seasonal Naples resident, came in several times with his wife to have lunch at Nemo’s.

Without the Beacon, country music singer Ben Allen may not have performed on “The Voice” TV show or formed The Ben Allen Band in Southwest Florida. He reluctantly played guitar and sang for the first time in public more than 10 years ago during an open mic night at Nemo’s, where the live music bug bit him. “That was as scary then as the blind audition in front of a national audience,” Allen said.

More lasting memories will still be made this weekend, of course.

“We’re going to have a big event on the 18th. It’s going to be our last day— the final hurrah,” said Jacob Elliott, director of marketing for Bowling Management Associates, Bowland & HeadPinz entertainment centers. “We’re going to have three live bands—West Coast South, The Deplorables and the Old 41 Band—performing at that time. We’re going to be doing the Last Strike charity event at that point.”

Before the bands play during the Beacon Bowl party from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, a grand showdown bowling tournament starts that morning. Check-in starts at 8 a.m. with practice beginning at 8:45 for a last chance to bowl at the Beacon. It’s a $65 early entry fee or a $75 entry fee on the day of the event for the tournament and a chance to win $1,000 for first place and $500 for second place.

The Beacon has been an obvious cultural touchstone for the local community. “It’s a staple in Collier County,” Elliott said. “Definitely going to be some tears shed that day.”

Will there eventually be another Beacon—a new place to rekindle old memories? Count on it, said Larson, the real estate agent for the local bowling business.

“We are full steam ahead with the intention to rebuild when we find the right piece of property,” she said. “That’s important for the public to know. We definitely are going to rebuild.”