What do the Super Shot, Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, 1001 Naughts, Swings and Windjammer have in common? They’re all awesome rides ready to thrill attendees of all ages at the Grove Avenue Carnival this weekend. This is your second-to-last chance to enjoy the Carnival, a fun-filled event that supports District 220 schools and offers a great time for the whole family, so come out and play while you still can!
The theme for this year’s FUN-raising event–the 28th annual–is “We Are Carnival.” Head on over to Grove Avenue School on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for traditional carnival games and food, as well as live entertainment, face painting, music and more.
Kathy Pritchett is the chairperson for this year’s event, along with Page Majewski, Shara Linden, and Sue Kiss. Kathy says the Carnival “has become an institution in the Barrington area, where people come to support Barrington schools and area businesses while having a great time with friends and family.”
Kathy notes that the Carnival draws attendees from the Barrington area and beyond, and encourages residents to invite friends from neighboring communities to join in the fun!
Last year was a record-breaking year for the Carnival’s revenue, and Kathy has high hopes that this year’s event will also raise significant funds to help pay for Grove Avenue School’s wish list.
Grove Avenue School principal, Dr. Cindy Kalogeropoulos, writes of the event: “It allows our school team to dream a little larger when it comes to technology equipment and resources used in our classrooms. In a sense, it is the frosting and sprinkles on our cupcakes.”
After paying for the Carnival itself, which is offered by Jeff and Patty Blomsness to Grove’s PTO annually at a reduced rate (through next year, which will be the Carnival’s last hurrah), the remaining revenue goes to support school projects like a planned redesign and expansion of Grove Avenue Elementary School’s playground. “We also give to many charities throughout the Barrington area–it doesn’t just go to Grove,” Kathy Pritchett says.
Each year in early September, the Grove Avenue Elementary School’s PTO offers all Barrington 220 schools the opportunity to pre-sell tickets. Ten percent of these ticket sales then go directly to the selling school’s PTO. “It’s a way to give back to the school communities that support us each year, while getting everyone excited about the event,” Kathy says.
Many local businesses–like Midwest Bone and Joint, Motorwerks, Photos Hot Dogs, Core Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and Harris Bank and Trust–also donate to the Carnival, and Kathy is quick to note that their help, and that of countless volunteers, make the event possible.
Here’s the schedule for this year’s Carnival:
Friday, September 12th, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
5:30 pm to 6 pm: Cake Walk
6 pm to 6:30 pm: Bataille
7 pm to 7:30 pm: Epic Cheerleading
7:30 pm to 8 pm: DJ
8 pm to 9 pm: DJ
9 pm to 10 pm: DJ
Saturday, September 13th, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
12 pm to 1 pm: The Center for Ballroom & Dance
1 pm to 2 pm: W. Kim Taekwondo
2 pm to 2:30 pm: Cake Walk
2:30 pm to 3 pm: Tiger Koo
3 pm to 3:30 pm: Language Stars
3:30 pm to 4 pm: BHS Robotics Club
4 pm to 5 pm: BHS Robotics Club (sharing stage until 7pm)
5 pm to 6 pm: DJ
6 pm to 6:30pm: Art Outreach
6:30 pm to 7 pm: DJ & Chess without Borders (TBD between 6:30 and 8pm)
7 pm to 8 pm: DJ
8 pm to 9 pm: Repo Depot (band)
9 pm to 5 pm: DJ
Sunday, September 14th, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
12 pm to 12:30 pm: DJ
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm: Trivia game
1:30 pm to 2 pm: Cake Walk
2 pm to 2:30 pm: Language Stars
2:30 pm to 3 pm: DJ
3 pm to 4 pm: DJ
4 pm to 5 pm: DJ
You can buy tickets at the Carnival, which is located at Grove Avenue School, 900 South Grove Avenue, in Barrington.
Here are your ticket options:
- Individual Ticket Sheets (good all 3 days for rides, food and more): $20 for 22-ticket sheets
- Wristband Fun Passes (good from noon-4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday): One Day $30, Two Day $45
Jersey’s Pizza & Grill of Hoffman Estates is the main food sponsor for this year’s event. A wide variety of food will be available for purchase (see supplier and donor list below) , and you can look forward to indulging in everything from pizza to funnel cakes. (And what’s a carnival without a funnel cake?)
You can also look forward to food from: Starbucks * The Onion Pub * The Lucky Monk * Cook Street Coffee * Egg Harbor Cafe * Einstein Bageles * Heinen’s Grocery * Paul’s Burrito Express * Angel Water * Kookers * Pinstripes * La Mozarella * Noodles & Company * Home Depot * Costco * Kelsey Roadhouse * Millrose Country Store * Assembly * Frantonio’s * Ball Park * Canteen * McDonald’s * Pizza Factory
On Friday afternoon, Grove Elementary School students will gather in their tie-dyed, Carnival-themed t-shirts for a massive group photo. After the shutter clicks, they’ll be handed fluffy bundles of cotton candy and let loose to ride all of the rides for free for an hour–stuff the best childhood memories are made of, don’t you think? Come on out this weekend and make some memories too!
Look for event updates and photos on the Grove Avenue Carnival Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GroveAveSchoolCarnival.
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About the Author
Renee Blue is a writer and producer at 365Barrington.com.
She has experience writing, editing, and producing for print, radio and online media.
When she manages to break away from her computer, Renee can most often be found spending time with her husband and two elementary school-aged boys, volunteering at school, or jogging and biking around town.
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