Mt. Prospect Jaycees carnival opens Thursday
In another harbinger of summer, the first major carnival of the season in the Northwest suburbs opens Thursday.
The Mount Prospect Jaycees are again preparing to host the annual Memorial Day Weekend Carnival at Mount Prospect Plaza, located at the intersection of Rand and Central Roads, May 21-25.
The carnival will be open 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday and Monday.
Proceeds will benefit Northwest Compass food bank, Clearbrook, the fight against glycogen storage disease and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and a local elementary school.
The festival will feature rides for all ages, from thrill rides to rides more fitting for small children. Traditional carnival food and games also will be part of the carnival.
Flat price unlimited-ride bracelets will be available for $20 Thursdays from 6 p.m. to close and on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 1 to 5 p.m. Individual tickets are $1.25 and rides take two to five tickets.
The Jaycees will be holding a canned food drive, with a discount of up to $2 off the ride bracelet (limit one bracelet per person, $1 per canned item) for donations.
The carnival is a community service project of the Mount Prospect Jaycees, and receives support from Fantasy Amusement Co. and Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust.
"We're always looking for volunteers who want to get involved in the community," Chapter President Linda Murbach said. "The projects we run create young leaders in the community and help the residents Mount Prospect."
Volunteer and event information is at (224) 764-0691, www.mountprospectjaycees.org, the carnival Facebook page, or president@mpjaycees.org.