A record-breaking Carnival success for St John’s
Fantastic weather brought unprecedented crowds to St John’s Green for the July Carnival weekend, and made the event a record-breaking success.
The weather, which so often dampens enthusiasm on at least one the three days of the Carnival, was virtually perfect for the whole weekend.
The Carnival’s chief organiser, Kathy Cole, said it brought out the crowds as never before. “I can’t remember ever seeing so many people concentrated on St John’s Green”, she said.
All the fun of the fair – there were lines for several of the rides, as well as for the fried dough
Mother Jackie, at large among the crowds on St John’s Green
Money raised for St John’s also reached a record at just short of $14,000. Most came from ticket sales, but the car park behind the church and on Roger’s Field contributed more than $700. The funds will help support the church, and especially its outreach programs – such as the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries, the New London Community Meal Center, and Bags of Hope.
St John’s treasurer, Chip Flanagan, handled a potentially confusing blizzard of cash over the three days. After many recent challenges from the pandemic, economic downturn and particularly weather – including a Sunday rained off two years ago - Chip described this year’s event as “a perfect alignment of weather, place and people.”
Kathy and Chip both paid tribute to the 51 parishioners and friends who helped support the event, from organizing the car park, putting up signs and providing food and drink to the volunteers, to selling tickets and picking up litter.
Each ruefully reflected on the increasing age of the volunteers. “It tends to be the people of 55 and older,” said Chip. “It’s a societal issue, not just a St John’s one, because of the crazy lives of younger couples and all the activities of their families.”
The hothouse – Kathy Bottaro, Liz Zeman, Kelton Bound and Pam Dolin selling tickets on Saturday afternoon
Lynne Lersch and Joanne McMahon under the parking lot tent
Some of the 15-strong hospitality team, which was led by Carol Kensel: Laurie Locicero, Marian Shilstone, Susan Madeau, and Carol, and, taking a break from trash collection, Jim Locicero
Kathy Cole – who made the Carnival happen once again this year
All the volunteer slots were eventually filled, but there’s an early invitation to save the date of next year’s Carnival – the 17th, 18th and 19th of July. As Chip Flanagan put it, “it’s an opportunity for us to come together as a community of faith and to do some good.”