Mount Prospect Jaycees cancel carnival

After losing their usual location, the Mount Prospect Jaycees have canceled their annual Memorial Day carnival, which was set to take place over five days later this month.

Their spot at the Mount Prospect Plaza at Central and Rand roads is unavailable because of construction of a new bank, said Jill Opad, president of the Mount Prospect Jaycees, a nonprofit business group for young adults.

“We’ve had the carnival at this location for 41 or 42 years so this is really sad,” Opad said. “We tried to find another location and just couldn’t find anything,”

Opad said the Jaycee’s scouted several locations in Rolling Meadows, Arlington Heights and Des Plaines, but were unable to find the right fit. The places either were too expensive, didn’t have enough room or already had an event like a softball tournament booked, Opad said.

Village Manager Mike Janonis said the village tried to help the Jaycees find another location but ultimately wasn’t successful.

“That’s been a huge event for years and years,” Janonis said. “It’s unfortunate and we tried to help them find a place but the logistical issues were too much to figure out in 30, 60 or 90 days. We’re willing to sit down with them and help figure something else out in future.”

The carnival raised thousands of dollars that the Jaycees gave out in college scholarships or to groups like WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger).

Opad declined to say how much was raised but she did say it was one of the group’s biggest events.

“It was a huge fundraiser,” she said. “All of the money we raised went right back to the community.”

Opad said the Jaycees hope to bring the carnival back to the Mount Prospect Plaza next year and will discuss other fundraisers they can host this year at a meeting on May 10.

“We are working on plans for a fun, new summer/fall event,” according to the statement on the group’s website. “The Jaycees and summer will still go hand-in-hand.”