Carnival time at Sacred Heart

Flocking to South Second for fun … and food galore.

By: Eileen Oldfield
   Groups of kids and adults crowded the games, rides and food tents on South Second Avenue on Tuesday, the first day of Sacred Heart Church’s 39th Summer Festival.
   "I enjoy the music, all the rides and the kids having fun," said Jeanne Zydelis, a first-time festival-goer. "I just moved up from Florida. I would like to see homemade arts and crafts to sell or to win though."
   The food is a favorite among first-time visitors and festival veterans, with people lining up early for the homemade pierogies, potato pancakes made from a parishioner’s secret recipe, kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, and cabbage and noodles. Traditional carnival foods, including hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage sandwiches, chicken fingers, french fries, ice cream and pizza fritz are available also. To accommodate the potato pancake demand, and to shorten the lines that span the food tent, the parish purchased an additional fryer this year.
   "Last year, we had seven fryers," said festival Chairwoman Maribeth Thomaszfki. "It’s one line per two fryers, so we can have four lines going."
   While music has been a feature at the carnival for many years, a local band, Trust, will perform its first local show on Friday. Formed by South Eighth Avenue residents and parishioners Scott and Mike Petzinger, the band expects to play an hour-long set beginning around 7 p.m. Friday.
   "We were given the opportunity by the pastor," said Scott Petzinger. "We haven’t really played in the Central Jersey area, so we figured we’d play and ask our friends to come."
   A DJ provides the rest of the week’s entertainment.
   For many Manville residents, the festival offers the opportunity to enjoy time both with families and friends. Trent and Darlene Warmke, of Marion Place, and their family come for every aspect of the carnival.
   "It’s pretty good," said Trent Warmke. "The kids are really enjoying the rides and the food’s always awesome; you can’t complain about that."
   "I like the slide," said his son, Trent, of the approximately 10 rides at the festival.
   Additional rides include a Ferris wheel, a small roller coaster and a fun house. While Trent enjoyed the slides, his friend Monica Adamowicz preferred another ride.
   "I like the bear thing that goes around," said Monica.
   The carnival’s games entice many players with the promise of prizes like inflatable toys, stuffed animals, homemade baked goods and electronics. The games aren’t restricted to the kids this year; the church has an adults-only money wheel as well.
   The games were the main attraction for Anna Venditti’s sons, Sam, Dan and Nick, who liked the fast-pitch game the best. While her sons indulged their major-league baseball hopes, Ms. Venditti enjoyed the service and the food.
   "At some carnivals you can’t get Polish food," said Ms. Venditti. "Everyone who waited on us was very nice too."
   The carnival started Tuesday, and lasts until Saturday. On weekdays, it opens at 6 p.m. and closes at 10 p.m.; on Saturday, it opens at 5 p.m. and closes at 10 p.m. The carnival is located on the church grounds at South Second Avenue and Filak Street.