Rotary clubs bringing carnival back to Huntley for Memorial Day
The Huntley and Lake in the Hills Rotary clubs are partnering again this year to bring a carnival to Huntley for Memorial Day weekend.
The second annual Rotary Spring Fling begins at 6 p.m. Friday, in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart Super Center at Route 47 and Kreutzer Road. It will feature rides, games and food through the four-day event, which supports Rotary's local and international charitable efforts.
The carnival will wrap up around 6 p.m. Memorial Day.
"We had a great turnout last year," said Jim Uszler, Huntley Rotary Club president. "We probably had close to 5,000 people over that weekend."
Organizers moved the event from last year's site in downtown Huntley to Wal-Mart hoping it will increase visibility and parking availability. The proximity to Sun City senior living community also should help attendance.
"Last year, a lot of people brought their grandchildren to the carnival," said Bill Dustin, Lake in the Hills Rotary Club president.
In its first year, the carnival raised more than $4,000 for the clubs.
"It went back to our community in the form of scholarships for our high school students and also to the Grafton Food Pantry, which we supported with a $1,500 contribution," Uszler said.
The Lake in the Hills Rotary Club also used its carnival proceeds for scholarships and to help the food pantry, as well as to support the veterans memorial in the village. The club's main fundraiser is Rockin' Ribfest, which this year is July 7 to 10.
Dustin said roughly $90,000 was raised last year through various fundraisers, of which more than half goes toward community projects.
"We've got $11,000 going out in scholarships to (six) kids from Jacobs, Huntley, Crystal Lake South or Faith Lutheran," Dustin said.
Local clubs also support online literacy tools at libraries, and leadership camps for students. Rotary International provides shelter during natural disasters, clean drinking water in remote areas, and is helping to cure polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the disease persists.
Unlimited ride passes are available for $20 per person during carnival hours from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday through May 30. Discounts up to $2 per person are available by bringing two canned goods for local food pantries.