By Amy Batista, Special Writer
Residents from surrounding communities enjoyed the second annual Hope Hose Humane Co. No. 1 Family Carnival last week.
”The inspiration behind the family carnival is to try and provide the community with an environment to enjoy themselves, spend time with other members of the community, and also see us volunteers so that if they ever need us we are not a stranger’s face,” said Capt. Richard Mercantini, carnival committee chairman and the emergency medical services captain at Hope Hose Humane Co. No. 1.
The event, which is also a fundraiser for the fire company, was held Aug. 20-23 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with rides opening at 6:30 p.m. in the lot adjacent to Retro Fitness located at 860 Route 206. A large parking lot was available so many carnival-goers could park near the entrance.
”This was our second year hosting the carnival and we are still finding our way as to what works, and what does not work for the people attending,” he said.
Entry into the carnival was free, but tickets were required to go on the variety of rides. Tickets were available in books and were sold individually for $1 with no ride requiring more than four tickets.
During Wednesday and Thursday evening, patrons could also purchase a wristband for $20 for unlimited rides.
Event staff from Wizards Festival of Fun, of Blackwood, ran the rides and attractions.
”This year’s ride company was a different company than last year, and the feedback from parents was that they liked his rides and thought the safety of the equipment was not a worry when putting their children on the rides,” he said.
Also new this year was DJ Logan Stemetzki who entertained the patrons during the opening night.
The band Deja Vu was sponsored by Bordentown Home for Funeral on Thursday night. Black Brant was sponsored by attorney Bob Sexton, with School of Rock out of Princeton on Saturday, he said.
”All three bands gave carnival-goers different styles of music, which seemed to keep everyone pleased,” he said. “Last year, we had a DJ every night with a band playing only one night, so we changed it up some to get live music, which was a big plus this year.”
”We do this as a fundraiser and we appreciate all the support we receive from the community,” he said. “The funds raised go toward the costs of daily operations of the firehouse such as equipment, utility bills and building maintenance.”
He noted there is a “long list” of community businesses that help support the carnival by purchasing signs that are displayed throughout the carnival.
It takes more than the fire department members to run the carnival.
”We rely heavily on family members and volunteers from the community to assist us in many different ways from cooking to manning the games, and even ticket sales,” he said. “Our membership is roughly 35 active members that consist of firefighters and EMTs who are volunteers.”
The highlight of the event for the department is seeing the community attend the carnival, he said.
”Our membership really enjoys seeing so many friends in the community out at the carnival, and I think that is our favorite part,” he said.
He noted that Retro Fitness of Bordentown allows them to host the carnival on their lot without charge.
”Retro Fitness makes the carnival possible through their charitable donation of their property, which helps Hope Hose serve the community,” he said.
