by Lisa Schauer
The third annual South Morgan Fireman’s Carnival will bring a last splash of excitement to summer activities during the final week of August at South Morgan Volunteer Fire Department grounds.
This year’s carnival will have expanded parking, and a new double Ferris wheel on the midway and nightly free activities to add to rides, food, music and games.
The fireman’s carnival opens Tuesday, August 27 and runs nightly through Saturday, August 31, with full daytime events on Saturday.
From Tuesday through Friday, the fire company’s food pavilion and games will open at 5 p.m. Rides by Snyder’s Attractions open at 6 p.m. Carnival food vendors also offer select items through the evening.
Free live music starts at 7 p.m. on the bandstand and the carnival closes at 10 p.m. nightly. The public can bring their own chairs to watch music behind the fire hall.
Music will include Three Chord Ford on Tuesday, The Fly Birds on Wednesday, The Van-Dells on Thursday, Stephanie and the Wild Hearts on Friday and The Flashbacks on Saturday night.
On Friday, a free fireworks show starts at 8:30 p.m. That night, an Optimus Prime replica truck will be onsite for the public to explore.
On Saturday, the carnival opens earlier for a jam-packed day even before rides get rolling at 6 p.m. Carnival grounds will open at noon for fire department food and games and entertainment. Ham and fried chicken dinners will be served in the firehall from 1 to 6 p.m. A thrill show with fire eating and sword swallowing by Fleet Family Five will start at 4 p.m. Snyder’s Attractions carnival rides open at 6 p.m. Birds of prey will be on display from 4 to 8 p.m., and a live auction starts at 7 p.m.
Other entertainment includes a Baby Contest on Friday, August 30 at 5 p.m.
Admission to the carnival and parking is free every night. Tickets for the rides may be purchased in advance at Roy’s or online at firemanscarnival.com or at the carnival grounds each night.
Proceeds from the Fireman’s Carnival benefit South Morgan Volunteer Fire Department.
“We run about 200 fire calls a year in Morgan County, all on a volunteer basis,” said Dale Heironimus, president of South Morgan VFD, and co-chair of the carnival committee.
“As a small, rural fire company, it takes a community of volunteers, sponsors, and donors,” said Heironimus of the yearlong effort to plan and produce the carnival, a successful fundraiser for the firefighters.
Heironimus has said the carnival is both a fundraiser and a way for the fire company to give back to the community they serve. Business sponsors and community groups help bring the carnival to the public as well.
The carnival will take place at South Morgan Volunteer Fire Department, located at 10166 Winchester Grade Road south of Berkeley Springs.
A full event schedule is on the carnival website and event updates will also be available through South Morgan’s Facebook page.
Anyone with questions or an interest in volunteering to help at the carnival can call 304-258-1271.
