Kiwanis Karnival Proceeds Reach Far Beyond Pittsfield

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Every year the Greater Pittsfield Area Kiwanis sponsors the Kiwanis Karnival, held in conjunction with the Central Maine Egg Festival, which is set for Tuesday, July 22nd through Saturday, July 26th. The Karnival is the major fundraiser of the year for the club, a non-profit organization whose motto is “Serving the Children of the World,” and offers a variety of activities. The Kiwanis hosts all of the rides, several tents, fireworks display and Kiddie Parade included on the Egg Festival’s schedule of “eggvents,” along with organizing all of the booths, games and food concessions. Spectators will find food stands offering hot dogs, onion rings, French fries, homemade pizza, popcorn, etc. throughout the event and strawberry shortcake is being served on Saturday. Kiwanis members also hold their Annual 3-Night Raffle Thursday through Saturday. The raffle features a wide variety of prizes donated by area businesses – from savings bonds to picnic tables. Tickets cost just $1 each. A portion of the money raised from Pittsfield Kiwanis activities supports scholarships for Maine Central Institute and Nokomis Regional High School students. Proceeds also benefit local food banks; Terrific Kids programs in three schools – Corinna Elementary, St. Agnes and Newport Elementary; the Reading is Fundamental program for youth; Warsaw Middle School’s Special Nurses Fund; Good-Will Hinckley’s Christmas program; and the Children’s Miracle Network, just to name a few. Other local projects and activities that have been sponsored by Kiwanis contributions include: the MCI Key Club, Nokomis Key Club, Builders Club at Vickery Elementary School, Pittsfield Historical Society and caboose; Library Reading Room; books for public and school libraries; bathroom for handicapped at Marie Bradford School; Girls State Delegates; Boys State Delegates; Scout Troops; Special Olympics; Last Wish Soup Kitchens; Cub Scout Pinewood Derby; Rifles for the M.C.I. Rifle Team; bleacher for M.C.I.; five Old Town Tripper Canoes; Kite Flying Contest; Boy Scout Camporee; and an Easter Egg Hunt. The organization also provided funding to help build Pittsfield’s community outdoor swimming pool and the Pinnacle located off Waverly Avenue. In addition, the Kiwanis sponsors an Annual Bike Rodeo offering free helmets and safety booklets for children, and the Pine Tree Ride-In The amount of time donated by Kiwanis members and funds contributed in support of local communities is numerous. The Greater Pittsfield Area Kiwanis holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Meetings begin at 6:16 PM at Pizza Hut in Newport. Visit www.greaterpittsfieldareakiwanis.com for more information.

KIWANIS KARNIVAL ENJOYED LONG BEFORE EGG FESTIVAL

While the Central Maine Egg Festival is celebrating its 36th year in 2008, the Greater Pittsfield Area Kiwanis has been presenting the Kiwanis Karnival for approximately fifty years (perhaps even longer). Annually, the Karnival is held in conjunction with the Egg Festival and well attended by area residents. A Kiddie Parade kicks off the Karnival at 6 PM on Thursday, July 24th. Kids decorate bikes, strollers, wagons, etc. and take part in a parade designed just for them. The line-up steps off in the Pittsfield Municipal Parking Lot, located in front of the Police Station. The group of youngsters is led out of the parking lot by a town police cruiser onto Park Street. The parade continues down Park Street and onto Main Street, ending at the entrance to Manson Park, the main grounds for Egg Festival activities. Prizes are awarded for different categories. To add to the “eggcitement” this year, children may be making some extra noise with kazoos along the parade route.