The annual St. Catherine of Siena Carnival kicks off Tuesday evening and there will be plenty of rides, food and entertainment for all.
Fred Durante, who's serving his 20th year as carnival chair, said this year there will be 15 rides, 15 to 20 arcade games in the midway, entertainment featuring local bands—including the Sound Beach Community Band to open the festivities at 6 p.m. Aug. 13—and, of course, plenty of food. Italian specialities of sausage and peppers and pizza fritta, plus chicken and desserts from DiMare Pastry Shop and seafood from Aux Delices.
Workers spent Monday putting the finishing touches on the attractions set up in the parking lot across from the church at 4 Riverside Ave.
For the kids there will be several activities besides the rides, including face-painting, John the Magician and a photo booth. There will be bingo available Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.
Durante said the car raffle—for a 2014 BMW 1X SUV—has been popular. About $50,000 in raffle tickets have been sold so far. (Tickets are $25 each.)
This year there will be a bus shuttle for carnival visitors who park at the nearby Eastern Middle School on Hendrie Avenue, Durante said.
The carnival runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Aug. 13 through Aug. 17. Admission to the carnival is free.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
