By Jennifer Breuer, Editor of RocketCityMom.com

It’s the end of June and that means it is time for one of my family’s favorite summer traditions. We ride Ferris wheels and roller coasters, eat funnel cake and cotton candy, and have a whole lot of fun. The best part is we do it all for less than $10! How is that possible? Well, we’ve discovered a local gem known as the Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival and we absolutely can not wait to go back this year. This small-town community festival dates back to the 1950’s and after spending just a short time there you’ll understand why they keep bringing it back.

 A Local Gem

This year the carnival runs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from June 28-August 4, and is located directly across from Athens Middle School at the intersection of Forrest & Beaty streets. As a busy mom, I know it’s easy to get caught up in weekend activities and find a reason not to go – too tired, too busy, it’s too far away, etc. Trust me, make the extra effort. Last year, we finally did after hearing about the carnival the year before and never attending. Then, we found ourselves with a Saturday during which our daughter had been exceptionally good and we wanted to reward her behavior. We loaded up the minivan and headed out. While riding her first ride, my daughter’s declaration, “I love this, it’s so much fun” was enough to convince me we had made the right decision.

Fun for the little ones

The truly unique aspect of the carnival is, as the name implies, that all of the rides are for little kids. Anyone over the age of nine or ten is going to have to settle for bingo as a form of entertainment, but for those under 50″ there are plenty of rides and each one only cost $.50 to ride. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and close at 9:30 p.m. The lines definitely get longer as the sun goes down so if your little one isn’t so good at waiting, get there early. There are bathrooms on site and the normal carnival fare you would expect (soda, hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cake and more). My husband especially enjoyed the fresh tomatoes, onions and lettuce available with the other condiments.

Another wonderful reason to go to the carnival – all monies raised support eyeglasses and vision screenings for those in need as well as a children’s camp for kids with diabetes. So we go back weekend after weekend not just to have a good time, but to support a great cause. Maybe this year, we’ll plan to drop a few extra dollars at the Bingo table. If you haven’t been to this wonderful event, take my advice and make the time. You won’t regret it and you’ll be making some wonderful memories for you and your family.

Event Details:

Dates:   every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from June 28-August 4
Time:   6:30- 9:30 pm.
Location:   across from Athens Middle School at the intersection of Forrest & Beaty streets
Cost: $0.50 per ride for little ones under 50″

For more information check out the Athens Lions Club website or Facebook page.

About Rocket City Mom

Rocket City Mom is an online parenting website created in 2010 by a local mom who was new to Huntsville and looking for information on raising kids in the Tennessee Valley. The site now has more than 10 regular contributors, all local moms and dads, who share their insights and experiences with the goal of making life just a little easier for other local parents. On the site, you’ll find reviews of local attractions, a directory of services and businesses that have been mom approved, resource information (i.e. moms groups, support groups, birthday party planner, kids eat free) and much more!