By LAURA ROBISON
Progress
Once again Old Overton Gym will be hosting its annual family friendly carnival on Friday 28th October. Children with special needs can enjoy the carnival from 4:30-5pm so they can get in and get around much better. Then the doors open to everyone from 5-7pm
The Old Overton Gym was built in 1938, and many people from the Moapa Valley have grown up using the gym for classes, dances, proms, basketball games, weddings and more.
Anita Shanahan has been in charge of the carnival for many years. “I got the idea for a carnival as our fundraiser to help maintain the gym since I went to school here a long time ago,” she said.
The first modern carnival was in 2008 and was a huge hit, so the Board decided to make it a tradition.
Sherry Johnson and her daughter Jeannine Bowerman will be sorting and selling game tickets, which are $5 for 27. All games are 3 tickets to play. Kay Robison and Michelle Brammer have a great bake sale with goodies donated by many talented people. Jackie Worthen serves Frito Pie and corndogs for sale for $5.
The Shanahans help set them up and take them down along with running their cabs. James and Candis Mayo run the popcorn booth with all supplies donated by Simplot Silica. Dakotah Mayo runs the dart booth. Hannah Mayo has balloons and streamers for sale. Janie Shanahan and Lanie Jared do most of the running from booth to booth to make sure there are enough prizes and fill in whenever needed. And of course, there’s the ever-popular pocket lady, played by Stephanie Viers this year.
The high school dance team directed by Stephanie Thornton runs the carnival booths and the school’s Honor Society puts together the spooky alley that is so popular.
“Kids of all ages come to show off their cute costumes and play games so they can go home with a bag full of goodies,” Shanahan said.
The entire event is a fundraiser for the maintenance of the Old Gym. Everyone is welcome to wear your cutest or scariest costume Friday night at the Old Overton Gym, 353 W. Thomas.
