City Hosts Carnival 'Under the Big Top'

Kids don’t usually like saying goodbye to the freedom of the summer months. But End of Summer Carnival gave them something to celebrate Wednesday with game booths, raffles and prizes at Eisenhower Park.

This year’s theme was “Under the Big Top,” and the carnival featured circus games and activities.

“We have a caricature artist and a balloon artist who came dressed as a clown. Plus all of our prizes are circus-themed,” said Heather Sayers, recreation specialist for the city of Arcadia’s Recreation and Community Services Department. “I tried to make it as ‘circus-y’ as possible.”

A D.J. played music while kids went from booth to booth trying to win prizes. Staff and campers from the city’s various sports and day camps attended and the carnival was also open to the public.

Payton Tomkins, 11, said she looks forward to the carnival every year, especially because her friends and counselors from day camp also go. She has attended day camp every summer since she was 4 or 5 years old.

“I like spending time with my friends and playing games,” Payton said. “I also like that all the counselors come, because they’re really nice and they’re fun to be around.”

Payton said she would much rather stay in day camp than go back to school, but she is also excited about starting sixth grade at Highpoint Academy.

“I want to meet my new teacher, and I love my school and all the friends I have,” Payton said.

Aya Ibrahim’s three daughters are not in day camp, but she brought them to the carnival after hearing about it at one of the recreation activities the girls are involved in.

“It’s really nice. We’ve been here for an hour and they’re having a blast,” Ibrahim said. “ The games are inexpensive--only 5 or 10 cents each--but they’re really fun.”

The carnival has been a tradition with the city for many years, although it was previous known as the Penny Carnival, Sayers said.

“I live in the city and I used to go to all of these programs and attend the carnival when I was a kid,” Sayers said. “I’m glad everyone could come out and enjoy the carnival. The kids seem to be having a lot of fun, so it’s a great way to end the summer.”