St John’s Carnival –
beset by bad weather but helped
by a record-breaking Friday
Fairground attractions on St John’ s Green – before the rain came (photos by Kathy Cole)
The Carnival lost its biggest day when rain set in on the morning of Saturday 18th July, forcing the abandonment of what is usually its busiest day. The East Lyme Festival struggled on in the wet conditions, but the profusion of electric motors, wires and moving surfaces make the fairground rides too dangerous to run.
Friday night was a big success, however, with $4,000 taken in the first hour of opening and queues forming to buy tickets. St John’s takes thirty percent of the money from ticket sales.
Sean Kelly, Joy Smith and Jean Cordeau on duty in the ticket office
Jean Fleet, maintaining a supply of tickets
Although the Carnival was a washout on Saturday, Sunday’s sales were up on recent years. Kathy Cole, who organized the Carnival and its team of volunteers once again, said the rides and other attractions stayed open for an extra hour to make up some of the lost ground.
“It was worth it,” said Kathy. “People were queuing up to buy tickets, even if not in the same numbers as a Saturday.
“In the end the final tally for our thirty percent was $6,955, plus another $270 from parking.”
Church Treasurer, Chip Flanagan said, “It’s difficult when your main raiser is outside. We’ve been fortunate for the last few years, but you can’t expect it to hold up every year.
“Three years ago, there was a big, well-forecasted storm on Sunday, but that time people knew about it so they came on Saturday.”
Kathy thanked ticket sellers, litter gatherers, parking attendants and others who kept the show on the road, including Carol Kensall, who organized hospitality for volunteers and Carnival staff.
Despite their efforts, St John’s share of ticket sales was some $6,000 down from last year’s record of almost $14,000. However, a donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has generously made up the shortfall.