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Pennies buy children afternoon of fun
Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
An estimated crowd of about 350 children emptied their piggy banks and had a blast at the High Prairie Municipal Library’s Penny Carnival Aug. 5.
Children one by one sang the praises of the event.
“I like the prizes!” says nine-year-old Ahmed Mouallem, who attended the carnival for the third time. “And the games get funner and funner.”
Kiersten Lambert, 9, of High Prairie, agrees.
“It’s great because it’s fun,” she says, adding she could not choose a favourite game. “I like all the games. I like all of them.”
Librarian Janet Lemay says the attendance of the 20-plus volunteers made the event a big success. In fact, it has grown so big it is creating problems for the library.
“It might have outgrown the parking lot,” says Lemay.
In fact, so many children attended this year’s two-hour carnival problems began to arise.
“By 3 o’clock some of our games attendants were coming and getting more prizes,” says Lemay.
“Each year we buy more and more prizes,” says Lemay. “We don’t make any money on this; it’s not the whole idea, but it would be nice to have a sponsor, someone to help with prizes.”
Support for the carnival is very good, says Lemay, and for that she thanks the public.
One idea next year is to hold the carnival on a Saturday with High Prairie’s Centennial.
“To make it an old-fashioned Penny Carnival,” says Lemay.
One way or another, the carnival will continue despite the problems its popularity is causing for the organizers.
“I feel it is important to continue,” says Lemay.
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You can’t be in the High Prairie area without enjoying a little fishing! Above, Tearra L’Hirondelle, 3, of East Prairie, tries her luck at the fish pond.
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Quinn Cunningham, 10, of High Prairie, tries his luck in the bean bag toss. For only five cents he had a chance to win a prize.
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No carnival is a success without face painting! Above, Hailey Bishop, 8, of Grimshaw, receives her new “face” courtesy of Rose Cooper. Many children chose designs the artists duplicated.
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Each year, the roulette wheel is probably the most popular game at the Penny Carnival. Above, Shelby Laughlin, 11, of High Prairie, tries her luck. On this wheel; however, everyone eventually wins!
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Rheese Kotyluk, 7, of Ottawa, nailed the target on her first try in the dart game. It was one of several new games at the carnival.
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