Here comes the carnival

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent
 
The biennial carnival hosted by Newcastle Elementary School is right around the corner. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, at the school and end at 7 p.m. According to school secretary Dawn Williams, the carnival has been around for at least 20 years. 
As a fundraiser, the money left over from each year is carried over to the next, said Jennifer Kadera, first-grade teacher. Attendees can either purchase tickets individually at 25 cents or in bundles of $5, $10, and $20, she said.
The money raised at the carnival is used for various school needs, such as purchasing picnic tables, a buddy bench, ice machines, and water bottle machines, Kadera said. Jamie Bock, a third-grade teacher at the school, said the money is also used for playground equipment. 
The carnival was initially held in the gym, which was extensively decorated for the occasion, but it is now spread throughout the school, Kadera said. Various games are already planned for the event, with more possibly to come.
“The games will be fish pond, cornhole, dance party, ping pong, Bingo, cake walk, face painting, cotton candy (and) obstacle course,” Kadera said.
But it takes help to run an event like this and that responsibility goes to the staff, according to Kadera.
“All teachers and paras are responsible to participate and choose an activity or game for the carnival. The principals and I decide on a date for the carnival,” Kadera said. 
Everyone is welcome to come, Bock said. 
The carnival has been a success from the beginning, and it was missed the years it didn’t happen, Bock said. Now, it’s an event that people can look forward to every other year. 
“I have been helping with the carnival for about 17 years now. It is something our school has always done for the students and the community of Newcastle. We always have a huge turnout,” Bock said. 
Anyone interested in attending can show up at the elementary school on May 9 at 5:30 p.m. with money in hand to enjoy an evening filled with carnival fun.