'Fairing' Well at St. Catherine's Church

And a fun time was had by all ...

So, get to St. Catherine's Family Fun Fair, Bray Avenue, Middletown, for its closing night tonight.

Patch was there on opening night and mingled with the hundreds of visitors who showed up to enjoy the festivities, which were are run by volunteers from the church and more.

Amusements for youngsters include rides, face painting, and a giant slide. People of all ages can enjoy the games of chance and skill, at which some kindhearted carnies let children with big smiles play until they win. Fast food and funnel cakes were enjoyed by all, and there is cold beer for adults.

The Middletown Police Department is using the Fun Fair as an opportunity to teach kids about safe driving with the Rude Awakening program. Last night they set up a circular course lined by traffic cones and had kids drive through the course in a golf cart while wearing goggles that simulate the distorted vision of severe intoxication.

It's harder than it looks and really drives the point home about how helpless a drunk driver is behind the wheel to keep the vehicle steady. This reporter tried it and flattened eight cones.

New to the awakening golf cart ride this year is a texting and driving simulation.

"We know the new big problem on the road is kids texting while driving," said police officer Frank Trezza. "So we have them text in the carts and they do even worse than with the goggles."

"That was hard!" said 15-year-old Chelsea Hausleiter from Keansburg, who knocked over many cones as she drove the golf cart while an officer in the passenger seat had her send text messages. "I'll never text on the road when I get my license."