“You’re in for a treat,” New Fairfield Selectman and Lions Club Carnival Co-Chair Lori Beninson said. One of the most highly anticipated New Fairfield summer events is right around the corner, the New Fairfield Lions Club Carnival, beginning Tuesday, July 19th and running through Saturday, July 23rd. The carnival will be open each night at 6:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. at the Consolidated School Baseball Fields at 302 Ball Pond Road in New Fairfield, across from St. Edward the Confessor Church. Parking is available in the church parking lot.

Beninson said that carnival goers—all are welcome from New Fairfield and beyond—can expect the same favorite aspects of the annual event. The rides are once again provided by Stewart Amusement of Connecticut, who is celebrating its 40th season in business. People can once again expect the ability to get together as a community and enjoy each other’s company in their own backyard.

“I want people to have fun, to enjoy each other’s family time and just try to make it as normal as we possibly can in a safe environment,” Beninson said. She went on to note that there will be hand sanitizer p rovided, in addition to hand-washing stations.

Live bands will perform each night and delicious food will be served by volunteers and members of the New Fairfield Lions Club. The classic menu includes Roast Beef Sandwiches, Sausage & Pepper Wedges, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, French Fries, Nachos, Chili, Fried Dough, and much more. Beninson recommends the Roast Beef Sandwich, while New Fairfield Volunteer Bud Korol—who happened to be nearby during the interview—suggested that sausage & peppers are a favorite. The Lions Food Tent opens at 6:00 p.m., before the rides, so all are invited to relax and en joy dinner with family and friends before the ticket booth opens.

Speaking of the ticket booth, all “Pay One Price” wristbands ($30 each this year) and single tickets will be available for purchase. Beninson noted that “we didn’t raise the prices from last year because we realized that families were taking a big enough hit already with inflation. We really tried to keep our costs to what they were last year.” Cash and credit/debit cards will be accepted for ride tickets and for all purchases made in the Lions Club’s Food Tent. New Fairfield Social Services has tickets available for New Fairfield families in need, please contact Social Services Director Cindy White at 203-312-5669.

Beninson joked that she starts fearing about the weather for this week of event s as soon as the carnival the year before ends, quipping that across the board, “We’re going to have amazing weather for it.”

All the members of the New Fairfield Lions Club say “Thank You” for your continued support. All funds raised at the Carnival, and other Lions events throughout the year, go towards the charitable endeavors of the New Fairfield Lions Club.

By Sarah Opdahl and Lion John B. Tomaino, MJF