Carnival Craze
Jean Spinetti has been going to the Saxonburg Carnival since she was a child.
The carnival gave her and her friends a place to go, and even though it has changed a lot over the years, Spinetti still makes it a point to go with her family. She attended Friday with daughter Kim and grandson Jordan Spinetti.
“When we were kids, we would come because we didn't have anything else to do,” she said. “We used to save up Coke bottles to get money for the fair.”
Spinetti's younger self would have been happy with one of the changes made to the carnival this year, in that the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company made the event free while keeping the other hallmarks, including rides, games and food. The carnival opened at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and at 4 p.m. Saturday, and Paul Donaldson, chairman of the carnival, said it was as popular as ever.
“I think this is the 83rd carnival we've done,” he said. “A lot of folks were asking about it this year; it's a long tradition.”
The carnival is the biggest fundraiser for the Saxonburg VFC, and Donaldson said its cancellation last year was a financial hit to the department. He said the carnival helps the department pay for necessary equipment, and it is saving up to eventually replace a fire engine in the future.This year's carnival was missing some of its signature activities, including the pet parade and the water battle, but Donaldson said it still provided plenty of fun and is a good place for members of the company to meet with the public.“I always remember bringing family, nieces and nephews, and obviously the food is a big thing,” he said. “(People) get to come and see what we're trying to do in the company.”
Kaleb Stover, who lives near Saxonburg, said he has attended the carnival since he was a child. He always returns for the “Ring-a-Knife” game, where players need to hook rings onto knives spinning around on a circle platform.“I come to play this; I actually won a few times,” he said. “The carnival being free was just a bonus.”Donaldson said he expected at least a thousand people to come through the carnival during its three-day run.Kim Spinetti said she was looking forward to the carnival for the food, rides and games. After not going for about two years, she was glad to be back.“We're really happy it's open this year,” she said.
