By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
With the forecast of possible snow on Friday, officials from the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department announced today that due to the weather, it would be delaying the opening of its Spring Carnival to Monday, April 11.
“With today’s weather and reviewing the pending forecast for the rest of the week, safety during the carnival set up and for attendees has required us to delay opening,” officials stated in a press release sent to WKTV. The Weather Channel is reporting snow for Thursday and Friday with break on Saturday and snow again on Sunday. It is supposed to rain on Monday with the weather clearing by Tuesday.
Due to schedules, the Spring Carnival will be shorten from ten days to seven. City of Wyoming Community Services Director Rebecca Rynbrandt said the decision to delay start was mutual one made by both city officials and the carnival vendor.
The annual event, which was scheduled to start on Friday, is now scheduled to run from 4 – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, April 11 – 15; noon – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 15 – 16; and 1 – 10 p.m. Sunday, April 17. The carnival is located in the parking lot of the former Studio 28 theaters, 1400 28th St. SW.
A staple in the city for more than 30 years, proceeds from the carnival will be split between the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department and the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance (GWCRA). GWRCA funds support youth scholarships and youth and family programming through the Parks and Recreation Department. The GWCRA will also distribute funds to the community through its annual grant making process.
The Parks and Recreation Department will use its funds to help with park needs such as updating playground equipment, ball field matts and bases and tennis court nets.
“It really is a great opportunity to go out and enjoy the carnival while at the same time giving back to your community,” Rynbrandt said.
Last year, the event raised $26,000. The goal for this year is $30,000. Of course events like these are weather dependent and the shortening of the event could impact the goal, but the overall safety of the carnival workers and those attending is the city’s first priority, Rynbrandt said.
“The carnival will be open in the evenings and on the weekend of April 15, 16, and 17,” Rynbrandt said. “If we have four really great days, we can still meet our goal.”
The admission cost is $15 Monday—Thursday and $20 Friday—Sunday. The Parks and Recreation Department has $3-off coupons available on its Facebook page.
This year’s sponsors are the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department, T.J. Schmidt & Co. and Loeks Theatres Inc.
For more information on the carnival, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 530-3164.
