Guess what’s in town?? Starts with a K!

Guess what’s here?? Oh but it is… It IS that time of year. Kiwanis. I have been hearing about it for weeks. The posters are all over town preparing us for the five-day event at Kiwanis. I do happen to think it’s a great cause. I am not sure if any of you actually know what Kiwanis is so I will enlighten you!

“Kiwanians” are volunteers who help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, mentor playgrounds, raise funds for pediatric research and so much more. They work together to give a child a chance to learn, experience, dream and succeed.  The Kiwanis Karnival really helps raise so much money for these children. I think the nicest part of the Livingston Kiwanis Karnival is that they have a special day called “Arc Day”. They close the Karnival to the general public and open it to the members and families of the Association of Retarted Citzens of Essex County, the Horizon School and similar organizations in the area which care for the needs of disabled people. The rides, games, and food are all free of charge from 11am to 1pm.  Arc Day was named after Barry Ross. He was the past president of Livingston Kiwanis and he came up with the idea of this special day when he ran the Karnival in 1998. The club memorialized Barry by naming the ARC DAY in his memory.  This year, Arc Day, is on Saturday morning, May 11^th.

Ok, so about the Karnival, (by the way, I am not spelling carnival wrong, its called the “Kiwanis Karnival” in case you are thinking I am a dummy) my kids were so excited I knew I had to take them on the first day and be done with it. Especially because the weather is supposed to be crappy the next two days and the weekend is already shot.

The perfect plan is to go with a bunch of friends so your kids do not make you go on any rides (if you have young ones).  My youngest is 6 and let me tell you, he was off and running. First ride by himself: that’s him! Ready to rock.

Crazy that one is….

Lets talk about the rides…. This year they have 2 Ferris Wheels, one for the itsy bitsy ones and one for the kids 36″ and taller.

Tilt a whirl

Ride has been around for 100 years. I think it even existed when my parents were kids. Still does the trick!

 

Fun House

This is not the actual picture as I am sure you can tell, this picture looks like it was taken 200 years ago but needed to give you something visual, ya know!. Great for the little ones to get lost in while the big ones go on the crazy rides (like the next one).

Zero Gravity

I seriously think you have to be on drugs to go on this ride. I cannot believe how many kids love it. I can’t even watch it.  I begged my son not to go on but no chance. First in line (shocker).  Picture says it all. VOMIT!

Scrambler

I still love this ride! Also been around for ages… I think I have 40 pictures of me on this ride (between ages of 6-15) somewhere in my parents attic.

This year, Kiwanis went all kinds of bat crazy and decided to boot the old swing ride (see below)

and install the new “sky screamer”. It’s a screamer!! I would not let my 6 year old on this ride. Believe me when I tell you, IT IS THAT HIGH!

I think the kid favorite of the bunch was the Music Ride my son was seen on by himself in the first picture.

They did have some little rides for 2-5 year olds which I am not going to go into detail about because let’s be real and discuss how boring that would be…so you can use your imagination (sit in-car ride, mini roller coaster, etc).
They had funnel cake, soft pretzels, cotton candy, ice cream and pizza!

My kids had a blast and I left broke but I know it went to a good cause!!!

 

Kiwanis will be here until Saturday 70 E Northfield Rd, Livingston, NJ 07039 (across from Livingston Bagel)

Tuesday        May 7, 2013        6 pm to 10 pm
Wednesday   May 8, 2013        6 pm to  10 pm
Thursday      May 9, 2013        6 pm to 10 pm
Friday           May 10, 2013        6 pm to 11 pm
Saturday      May 11, 2013        2 pm to 11 pm

Arc Day will be on Saturday May 11th from 11:00 till 1:00