Earleigh Heights Hosts Annual Carnival

By Maya Pottiger

Come one, come all to Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company’s annual carnival. For more than 70 years, the carnival has been a community staple.

This year’s carnival runs from July 3 through July 13, and it will be open on July 4.

“It’s been fairly consistent, which I think helps draw the crowd,” said Joe Angyelof, president of Earleigh Heights VFC. “People tend to like to go places where they know what they’re getting. Over the years, we’ve built the carnival up to the point to have what we think to be a very good venue. People come back expecting what they had there last year.”

This year, there will be a variety of rides. Avalanche, Gondola Wheel, Rock N Cars, Zipper and Scrambler are some of the larger rides. Kiddie rides include Candyland Swings, Dragon Wagon, Merry Go Round, Tea Cups and Super Slide. Game concessions include Break the Bottle, Duck Pond, Hoop Shoot and Water Race.

“One of the big draws is the food tent, which is operated solely by the ladies auxiliary to the fire company,” Angyelof said. “They deserve a pat on the back and a big hand for the work that they do.”

The food menu varies during the carnival. From July 3 through 7, the menu is limited to pit sandwiches, pizza, nachos and chips. From July 8 through 13, the menu expands to include crab cakes, chicken tenders, hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries and more.

New this year, the county’s bloodmobile will be outside the engine house each night. Visitors do not need to schedule a time to donate blood, as walk-ins are welcome.

All-you-can-ride wristbands are $27 Monday through Thursday and $30 Friday through Sunday. Coupons are available at local businesses to save $2 on wristbands or $5 on a sheet of 50 ride tickets.

In addition to providing funding to the fire station, Angyelof said the carnival presents a unique opportunity for its members to work together.

“It’s an all-hands type of event,” Angyelof said. “The chairman of the carnival is Andy Price. He starts several months prior to the carnival.”

For the community, it provides an opportunity for family time and learning more about the fire station.

“Many families come year after year,” Angyelof said. “For some, it’s the third generation of people coming to the carnival. It provides them something to do together. It gives them an opportunity to see what the fire company members do.”

The carnival is open 6:00pm-11:00pm every night. For the Fourth of July, it will have special hours of 3:00pm-11:00pm.