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Millboro carnival whirls into town
BY GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER
MILLBORO - Four days next week carry the promise of a fun time in town, when the Millboro Volunteer Fire Association hosts its annual Firemen's Carnival from Wednesday to Saturday, Aug. 1-4, in the industrial park.
A whirl of rides will beckon participants, along with food and game booths, and bingo, from 7- 11 p.m. each evening. On Saturday, the popular Ruritan club chicken barbecue dinner will be ready at 4 p.m., and the parade follows at 5 p.m.
According to association volunteer and treasurer Rhonda Grimm, a whole new show of rides is coming to town thanks to Buffalo Brothers Amusements, based near Lexington.
"This year's show is presented by Will Harris and sons Tommy and Lee Harris, along with other local friends and families," she said. "They plan to keep the rides close to home so that people, like us for example, will have a carnival every year. I am so excited about this because it's so hard to get other shows, from Georgia, the Carolinas, etc., to come this far and to a smaller community."
Grimm said Harris bought his rides from Richard Taylor and his wife Nancy of Taylor Amusements in Staunton. Besides operating the amusement show, Harris and his crew are employed in the area.
Harris told Grimm he had his eye on one particular piece of equipment - a 1915 Allan Herschel wooden horse carousel. But to purchase the carousel, "the whole lot had to be taken," she said. "The carousel has been restored and Will believes this will become his signature piece, which will also be available at the carnival." She said Buffalo Brothers Amusements will also feature a 30-foot Ferris wheel, the Scrambler, Swing, Tubs of Fun, and other children's rides. "He plans to buy more rides in the future," Grimm said, "but is definitely off to a nice start."
Family nights on Wednesday and Thursday will offer one ticket price to enjoy the rides repeatedly. On Friday and Saturday, a certain number of tickets will be required for each ride.
Between rides, carnival-goers can check out food booths for hamburgers, french fries, hot dogs and at a beverage wagon. Game booths will offer Instant Scratch card games, money darts, a kiddie fish and duck pond, paintball and golf, and a dime pitch stand. Bingo can be played each night under a big tent.
The Millboro fire department receives a percentage of the total profits from the rides and from chicken dinners prepared by the Ruritans. Other food and game booths provided by the department generate 100 percent profit. Money is used for fire department operations and for donations members make to support events including the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life and Fire Safety Week at school. This year, proceeds will most likely also go toward furnishings and appliances for the department's new addition.
Chicken dinner, parade
Some folks are salivating already at the thought of the chicken dinners that will be prepared for the carnival Saturday. "The Millboro Ruritans cook their wonderful barbecue chicken in the fire pit at the Ruritan shelter (across from the elementary school) and then sell the dinners at the carnival grounds, which will be at 4 p.m.," said Grimm, noting the food is sold at the carnival site so people can enjoy food before, during or after the parade.
The annual firemen's parade welcomes all entries and awards will be presented to winners in 23 categories (see related article). "There is no theme as we welcome everyone to participate and bring what they want to show in our parade," Grimm said. Cash awards will be given to winners in another six categories from best comical to best dance group.
Think sunshine
Hopes are high for better weather this year, said Grimm. Last year close to $5,000 was raised for the fire association, less than in years past. While the last day saw a great crowd for the parade, heavy rain followed, creating a mini-flood through the carnival grounds and people left early. Grimm said another factor was the later date for the event, which began on the night of the first day of school.
Preparations for the carnival begin two to three months prior to the event, according to Grimm, as members of the fire department mow grass and clean the grounds, restore fixtures, ready food and game booths and order supplies toward bringing a safe and fun event to the community.
"When the time has come for the week of entertainment, the members - along with our dedicated volunteers from the community - are cooking, running the game booths and enjoying meeting the public," she said. "We have so many wonderful people that help us each and every year ... We are so glad to have our support volunteers, because without them, we wouldn't be able to do events alone."
Fire Chief Bobby Burke said the carnival has been held since "way before I was in the fire department, and I've been in it for over 30 years." He said the department operates with about 25 volunteers and several ladies assist the members by bringing food and beverages as needed.
The carnival and the annual Millbilly Bluegrass Festival (on Sept. 15 this year) are the association's biggest fund-raisers. Donations are always welcome and can be sent to: Millboro Volunteer Fire Association, P.O. Box 244, Millboro, Va. 24460.
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