Terry Sallis is a busy guy, but perhaps his busiest days of the year are in the week leading up to Carnival in the Park, an annual community celebration that offers free food and free fun for everyone. Each year Sallis marches down the street with a volunteer and a handful of flyers promoting the event.
Carnival in the park takes a lot of work, Sallis says, especially when organizers and volunteers want to eliminate the financial hurdle. But in its ninth year, the event continues to have strong community support. Local sponsorships and partnerships ensure the carnival is here to stay.
“We’re supported by the police department, the sheriff’s department, the fire department,” Sallis says, noting that the same supporters come back every year. “It gives us continuity, it gives us consistency and it gives us that level of confidence that all the stakeholders here embrace it. And they have continued to do so.”
John Jaggars, a volunteer for Carnival in the Park, has been helping Sallis and event organizers for the past three years. He says the joy everyone gets from the carnival — which also promotes diversity — keeps him coming back every year. Children especially have a fun time and use all the fun facilities.
“It’s just good for the community all the way,” Jaggars says. “I like to be a part of their good time. Seeing people smile and play together, be they black, purple, blue. It’s just a good thing all the way. I consider it a privilege to be part of it. It’s rewarding as hell.”
Some community events like the Iowa State Fair can be costly for families. Sallis doesn’t want the community to spend a penny on Carnival in the Park. Food, games, bounce houses and products and services available at vendor booths are all free.
“Most importantly, it gives the community the opportunity to interact with all the different cultures,” Sallis says. “This is many important. There is so much division in our country right now. It’s like we’re separated. But you come to an event like this here. It’s open, friendly and you talk to people you don’t know.”
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Sallis is the executive director of Integrated Treatment Services, which hosts Carnival in the Park. ITS offers several programs for culturally and racially/ethnically specific treatment. Sallis has a passion for helping people, especially those who need a second chance.
In the past Sallis was an ex-offender and also needed a second chance and acceptance from his community. His work at ITS and Carnival in the Park are his way of giving back to the community that allowed him to grow, mature and find success. To put it bluntly, Sallis says he wasn’t always a giving person.
He feels he owes a lot to the community. He has the obligation to return.
“Carnivals in the park give us a sense of fun, it gives us a sense of belonging to the community and it gives us an opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family,” says Sallis. “The fact that the community has given me a second chance means a lot.”
Either way, Carnival in the Park has given Sallis the chance to show the city who he really is: a generous person who puts the needs of the community first.
“It’s really rewarding,” Sallis said. “I think I get more out of this than any of these kids could imagine. I am very excited during the carnival week.”
Carnival in the Park, presented by Integrated Treatment Services and Montana Mike’s Steakhouse, is from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at Aurora Park, 2111 First Ave. E., in Newton. Flavah Band and The Sears Band will perform live music. Montana Mike’s will be offering free burgers and hot dogs.
Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 560 or [email protected]
