The carnival is coming to town.
Gilmore Community School is hosting its Country Carnival on Friday, May 26.
The event happens every two years and is a fundraiser for the school. In the past, the money has purchased things like iPads for teachers, new books for the library, a new playground, outdoor play equipment and field trips.
In 2015, the carnival raised about $36,000 and attracted more than 1,200 people, according to carnival co-chair Donna Sachinidis.
“We have people with infants and we have seniors that come and just walk around, have a glass of lemonade and take in the sights,” she says, adding the school hopes to raise $40,000 this year.
The Country Carnival will have everything one would expect at such an outing, including a bouncy castle, a petting zoo, a corn maze, carnival games, mini-golf, pony rides, an obstacle course and raffle prizes. There will even be a cow-milking demonstration for the crowd to watch.
The “highlight” of the evening, says Sachindis, is the pie-eating contest.
“That’s fantastic. It’s absolutely phenomenal,” she says. “We have three rounds – primary, intermediate and adult round. Whether it’s the kids or the grownups, it’s hands behind your back and start eating. It’s a lot of fun to watch, a lot of messy faces.”
Attendees can also indulge in carnival food like hot dogs and cotton candy.
Admission is free, but there will be a ticket system in place. The carnival is on from 4 to 9 p.m. The school is at 50 Gilmore Ave.
