SHENANDOAH - A four-day outdoor carnival will return in August for the second year and should be bigger and better with fun for all ages.
The Shenandoah Community Carnival, sponsored by Shenandoah Community Watch, will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 20 through 23 at Bicentennial Field on Herald Road, near the Ateeco Inc. pierogi plant. The first multi-day event was held last year and replaced the annual one-day Kids Fun Day, which the community watch also sponsored.
Gordon Slater, Shenandoah Community Watch president, said planning is in the works, and he invites suggestions.
"The community watch for many years was doing a one-day Kids Fun Day. Last year, I was lucky enough to have a carnival in town, which was a success considering it was the first one," he said. "It was held over the Labor Day weekend. Based on the input I'm getting from the community and the business, I'm getting some more support this year. It's probably because I have more time this year to plan that people are getting more involved."
The rides and amusements this year will be provided by Double M Amusements, Lehighton.
"This year we will have wristband nights, which we didn't have last year," Slater said. "That was something I wasn't aware of, but we'll sell wristbands this year."
When a wristband is bought, the person can ride all rides through the evening. Slater said wristbands will be sold on two evenings, although what days and the cost have yet to be determined.
"We'll have eight to 10 rides - a Ferris wheel, a super slide, merry mixer, octopus, a kids' train, a bounce house - rides for adults and kids," Slater said. "There will be games like a ring pitch, a shoot-out. There will be the standard carnival food, like cotton candy, candy apples, funnel cakes and more from Double M."
Slater said the community watch will have its own concession stand selling hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries and drinks.
"There will also be a bake sale all four days. I have talked to some people who will donate items, and if there is anyone else who would like to donate items, they can get in touch with me," Slater said.
Slater said there will be 50/50 tickets sold over the four days with the drawing on Saturday. A raffle drawing will also be held. He said local businesses have donated items for the raffle.
"We will have our dunk tank, of course. Some people have told me they will volunteer to sit in it," he said. "Still trying to get some other people in it. Hopefully, they'll step up and take one for the team, one for the town, and sit in the dunk tank for a half hour or an hour."
Entertainment will be provide by a disc jockey for three nights, with live entertainment on the last night. Schuylkill County Idol 2011 winner Shaina Graff, 2013 winner Autumn Maurer and 2013 finalist Cody Wiley are scheduled to perform. Slater said other singers are being lined up to perform.
Slater is also looking for contestants in karaoke contests that will be by age groups. The age groups and entry fees are 5 to 11 years old, $1; 11 to 18 years old, $3; and 18 years old and above, $5.
Details are also being worked out for a horseshoe tournament, Slater said.
"If there are teams who would like to get involved, they should call me to let me know how many teams we'll have and how much time I will need for the tournament," he said.
Slater has been in contact with Shenandoah Rescue Hook and Ladder Fire Company, which will hold its annual tournament two weeks prior to the carnival.
"I'm going to be there to see how everything works," Slater said.
Slater said many businesses have provided donations and support and others are welcome to help.
"I'm still open for ideas," Slater said.
The Shenandoah Community Watch is open to new members. The group meets at 6 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at Shenandoah Borough Hall. Enter through the library entrance.
For more information about the carnival or the community watch, call Slater at 570-527-9653.