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Carnival comes to Millboro
By GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER
 | | The annual Firemen's Carnival opens next Wednesday, July 23, on the carnival grounds in Millboro Industrial Park with nightly family fun, rides, food, and bingo through Saturday, July 26. The event is hosted by the Millboro Volunteer Fire Association. (Recorder file photo by Gina Hamilton) |
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MILLBORO - Old-time carousel rides, funnel cakes, hot dogs and barbecued chicken - along with a colorful parade - come to town next week as the annual Firemen's Carnival opens a four-day run in the industrial park from July 23-26 to beckon young and old from 7-11 p.m. each night. The exception will be on Saturday, when the Millboro Ruritan Club again prepares its popular barbecued chicken dinner ready for sale at 4 p.m., and the parade begins at 5 p.m.
The town's volunteer fire association has hosted this event for more than 40 years. Former longtime fire chief Walter Shinault Jr., who retired in 1987, recalled the association didn't get any money from the county in its early years and worked to raise all it needed to buy equipment. The event continues as the primary fundraiser for the association, which today supports community events and activities from the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life to Fire Safety Week at the elementary school, Halloween fun and the Christmas parade.
And besides the food and games, including nightly bingo under a big tent, carnival rides are the big attraction. Will Harris and his family from the Lexington area are bringing their Buffalo Brothers Amusements back for the second year. Rides include the vintage 1915 Allan Herschel wooden horse carousel and 30-foot Ferris wheel. Harris said he's also bringing back last year's popular Boomer Slide for young children, the Scrambler for bigger kids, and the Swings and Tubs of Fun for all ages.
"The Hampton Kiddie Car ride will be there again with the cars refurbished and painted," he said this week. He's also bringing the Starfighter, with rocket-shaped cars, and hopes to have the Octopus ride ready for bigger youngsters.
"This year, we'll use wrist bands (for admission); every ride will be one price every night, the same prices for all ages," Harris said. Different color bands will be used each evening. He said it takes at least a dozen people to operate all the rides. His concession stand will offer funnel cakes and cotton candy.
"We're looking forward to coming again," Harris said. "We were very happy being here last year. It was a nice little show."
For the fire association, preparations for the carnival begin several months earlier, as members and a host of volunteers spruce up the carnival site, ready food and game booths and order supplies to hold a fun and safe event.
Everyone is welcome to participate in the parade. Last year awards were presented in categories from Best Appearing Municipal Fire Engine to Oldest Fire Truck, Antique Farm Tractor, Classic Car, and Best in Parade. Cash awards were open to entries including Best Comical, Best Float, Dance Group, and Marching Band.
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