Lions Club carnival kicks off Millerton summer

MILLERTON — The Millerton Lions Club wanted to do something a little different this year for its big fundraiser, according to Lions President Todd Clinton. In the past, the annual circus has provided the local organization with most of its funding, but this year the first ever Millerton Lions Club Carnival filled Eddie Collins Field with rides, games, animals, food and much more.

“The circus had for some of us outlived itself,� said Clinton Sunday afternoon, as the carnival began to wind down. “So we decided to go a different avenue this year.�

Running from Thursday, June 10, to Sunday, June 13, the carnival was run by R.W. Commerford & Sons, a Goshen, Conn., based business that operated the rides, games and petting zoo for the carnival.

“They’ve been very respectful of the park, which was one of our concerns from the very beginning,� Clinton continued. “They’ve been a pleasure to deal with.�

Helping the Lions Club were three not-for-profit organizations. American Legion Post 178, the Millerton Fire Department and the Sunday in the Country food drive organization all had food booths set up, next to tents where carnival-goers could take a break from the rides to grab a burger or steak sandwich.

Parents who brought their kids had plenty to keep them busy. There were the carnival rides, exotic animals at the petting zoo, and even camels to ride. The Marrapodi family took advantage of it all.

“It’s pretty cool,� Al Marrapodi said of the carnival while watching his 3-year-old son, Tom, ride around on a camel. The Marrapodis, from Hillsdale, said they would be back next year.

Three teenagers just coming off a potentially nausea-inducing ride on Friday night had one-word adjectives to describe their night.

“Stupendous,� said 15-year-old Emily Lynch.

“Awesome,� added 16-year-old Allison Lacko.

“Fabulous,� concluded 15-year-old Cristina Evans.

Clinton, who was spotted Sunday afternoon making good on a bet with Sunday in the Country’s Dave MacMillan that had them taking turns riding the camel, added that there was no way the Lions Club could have handled putting on a carnival by themselves. He thanked the three not-for-profits for helping with parking and food, and the village and its police department for providing a constant presence.

Disappointing weather didn’t stop the event from being a success, he said. There was plenty of positive feedback about the carnival and lots of ideas for next year’s event.

“This is the foundation,� Clinton said. “This is something to build on for future years.�

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