1) I am not exactly sure how many bowlers are going, but my guess is 65,000
2) I am going because I moved out of CT about 11 years and it is the one time each year that I get to see a group of my friends that I otherwise would likely lose track of.
(as to those with $$ issues, that is certainly understandable and I am lucky that so far it has not been a problem with me. as to those with bowling/tournament issues, just have fun and treat it as a challenge.)
--------------------
Just bowl!