Mini Winter Carnival a Cure for Cabin Fever

February 13, 2009 5:22 pm

Matthew and Abigail Allardice took home a couple of goldfish at last year's Carnival.
Matthew and Abigail Allardice took home a couple of goldfish at last year's Carnival.

Local families will have a chance to see the old gymnasium of Hackettstown High School transformed into a wild jungle Sat., Feb.28 from 1 to 4 p.m. when the Key Club of Hackettstown High School and the Kiwanis Club of Hackettstown present the annual Mini Winter Carnival to benefit The Arc of Warren County.

Designed to appeal to the 3 to 11-year old set, the Mini Winter Carnival offers a gymnasium full of fun activities, games, and prizes presented by school organizations and various community groups. And it all benefits The Arc's programs for children and adults who have developmental disabilities.

Robert A. Pruznick, Arc CEO, says the Mini Winter Carnival has become an annual tradition that leads into the agency's largest fundraiser of the year - the WRNJ Radiothon for The Arc, scheduled for Friday, April 17 at Hackettstown Ford.

"This is the student kick-off to Radiothon, which raises funds for The Arc's Camp Warren program," he said. "The Kiwanis Club sponsors a cabin at camp and, since the Key Club is chartered by Kiwanis, the Mini Winter Carnival seems a great way to highlight the strengths of these two dynamic organizations."

He went on to say the carnival is an inspired effort that helps students to develop an awareness of The Arc that builds compassion toward their peers who have disabilities.

"Students are very accommodating in their desire to do something good on behalf of their fellow classmates who have developmental disabilities," he added. "The Mini Winter Carnival helps foster a better understanding of the needs and abilities of persons served by The Arc, and provides an afternoon of fun and games for the littlest members of our community."

The carnival is geared toward 3 to 11-year olds as a way to beat cabin fever and not stretch parents' wallets. A variety of games and activities, including basketball shoot, body-art, goldfish games, glitter and style hair salon, face painting, balloon animals, cookie decorating, bean bag toss, Super Slide, Bounce House, and more will offer participants plenty of candy and other prizes. The popular WRNJ Birthday Wheel will make a return, as will the Skyview Farm petting zoo. In keeping with the event's jungle theme, participants will be able to cast their vote for King and Queen of the Jungle.

The first 15 families to purchase admission tickets to the carnival will receive, compliments of WRNJ Oldies 1510, a family pack of four tickets to the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus coming to the Izod Center at the Meadowlands in April.

Additionally, a coloring contest is underway at all Hackettstown-area schools for grades K-4, and prizes will be awarded in several categories. Student judges from the high school will determine winners in several categories, and all coloring pages will be on display during the carnival.

Russ Long, WRNJ Oldies 1510 morning personality, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Admission is one dollar for ages 6 and up, and children under the age of eight must be accompanied by an adult. Activity tickets may be purchased at the door and inside the gym.

The Arc is a private, charitable, nonprofit organization dedicated to quality service and support for people who have mental retardation and related intellectual disabilities. Established in 1954, The Arc offers countywide services that include residential, employment, recreation, family support, early intervention, and a wide range of social services.

For more information about The Arc and the Mini Winter Carnival, please contact Kevin Guyette, Director of Development for The Arc, at 908.689.7525.