Darien School To Host 2021 Pumpkin Carnival

Darien CT

15 September, 2021

2:28 PM

Description

DARIEN, CT — The Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival, an annual favorite event, is scheduled to take place Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Darien. A rain date is scheduled for the following day. According to a news release, the carnival has transformed Tokeneke Elementary School in Darien into an amusement park every October for over 50 years. Last year the beloved community celebration was canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival is a favorite fall activity for Fairfield County families, offering something fun for children of all ages. This year's event will feature a wide variety of mechanical rides suitable for a wide variety of ages. Those seeking a thrill can try the Ali Baba, Cliffhanger and Zero Gravity rides, while preschoolers are sure to love the cars, trains and spin rides. Crazy Cars, a brand new ride, will also be unveiled this year, according to event officials. The carnival will also feature a variety of lawn games, art activities, face painting and prizes. Stay and enjoy performances by students of the School of Rock and Dance on the DL. Carnival participants will be able to enjoy an array of tasty foods and beverages from local Darien restaurants, such as Burgers Shakes & Fries, Crazy Taco Mex, Fjord and Heights Pizza. Traditional fairground snacks and refreshments will also be available, as will delicious home baked goods, event officials said. Tokeneke Elementary School is once again partnering with Darien Human Services to offer area families the opportunity to participate in the annual Pumpkin Carnival Fundraiser free of charge. In years past, families that would not have otherwise been able to attend were provided with free ride and game tickets as well as complimentary food and drinks. In 2021, event officials will look to the generosity of the Tokeneke school community to expand this multi-year program and include more eligible Darien families in this initiative, officials said. The Tokeneke Parent Teacher Organization (TPTO) is responsible for organizing the Pumpkin Carnival. Local businesses are the key supporters of the event, and Darien Sport Shop will once again be this year's title sponsor supported by DR Bank and Baywater Properties (Corbin District). Other key sponsors include: Kings Highway Tennis Club, Nola Physical Therapy & Performance, Speed Printing & Graphics (SP&G), DEANE, Khan Orthodontic Group, Miceli Insurance Agency, Dance on the DL and Stew Leonard's. Funds raised at the carnival provide funding for the enrichment program at Tokeneke Elementary School. Over the years, the enrichment program has helped bring inspirational guests in the arts and sciences into the classroom for personal discussion and instruction with students, event officials said. "After a year of challenges that affected our entire community, we are very excited to bring the Pumpkin Carnival back this fall," Pumpkin Carnival co-chairs Alicia Johnson and Winnie Norman said in a news release. "It is such a fun family tradition that now has been enjoyed for two generations." Further information can be found on the event website.