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**Ed. Note: For 2018 Carnival information, go here.**
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Annual Knightdale Police Department Event Raises Funds for Special Olympics
By Kay Whatley, Editor
If you drive in Knightdale on a regular basis, it’s hard to miss when the Spring Carnival comes to town. One day, you’ll just see that the colorful rides and concession stands are there — taking over part of the Midway Commons parking lot!
Advance notice for those who haven’t heard yet: the Spring Carnival is coming up this Thursday! On March 31, 2016, the rides and concessions return. The Spring Carnival runs from March 31 through April 10, 2016.
**UPDATE: EXTENDED through April 16th.**
Stop by the event at Midtown Commons, 200 Hinton Oaks Boulevard, in Knightdale NC. You’ll be able to find it; the carnival is visible from Knightdale Boulevard (Business US-64) as you approach the Target-Best Buy shopping area.
Admission to the carnival is free for all ages. Plan to take the family out for a fun evening, maybe play a game or grab a quick bite in the outdoor air, and enjoy the rides — or watch family and friends ride while munching on your favorite midway treat.
Carnival hours this year, weather permitting, are:
Monday-Friday – 5-10pm
Saturday – noon-11pm
Sunday – 1-11pm
Powers & Thomas Midways of Wilmington brings this carnival each year, under the direction of the Knightdale Police Department (KPD). The annual event serves as KPD’s fundraiser for the Special Olympics. Officers will be on hand during the event; stop and let them know you appreciate their arranging this family-friendly event each year. Proceeds from the Spring Carnival are donated to Special Olympics. According to Captain Tracy Solomon, “Our 2016 goal for total fundraising is $20,000 — or to be a top ten North Carolina fundraising agency.”
Last year, KPD ranked 16th statewide after they received a generous $17,000 donation from the carnival vendor, Powers & Thomas Midway Entertainment. More information on KPD’s yearly fundraising efforts and ranking is online. Law enforcement across the nation has supported Special Olympics for several years through the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. According to Captain Solomon, he has been KPD’s Special Olympics Coordinator for about five years, and the department has supported Special Olympics through this Spring Carnival for two decades.
For those interested in the rides and attractions, tickets will be on sale on the midway, with wristbands available for $25.
Food choices are the typical tasty fair foods, and similar to previous years. Choices like pizza, sausage, burgers hot dogs, and corn dogs may be available, alongside fried treats– fried dough, funnel cakes, and maybe even some fried Oreo® cookies! Wash these fun foods down with some lemonade, a slushy, or a soda, and grab popcorn, a caramel apple or cotton candy for “dessert”.
Even if you’re not a Knightdale resident, it may be worth the trip! Good, clean family fun on a Spring evening is the reward for a drive from Raleigh, Wendell, Zebulon, and beyond — Nashville and Wilson residents, too, are just a short drive away from Knightdale.
Powers & Thomas is based in Wilmington NC. More about this carnival company’s history and philosophy are online at powersthomas.com.
Visit the Powers & Thomas Midway Entertainment Facebook page, or the Knightdale Police Department Facebook page, for updates.
Knightdale is a town in Eastern North Carolina, located between Raleigh and Wendell in Wake County. Town population is approximately 14,000, growing at a rate of more than 20% each year. Recently, Knightdale was named Most Affordable Community in NC.
