FREE COMMUNITY CARNIVAL

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 entertainment for all. Every year Sallis marches the streets with a volunteer and a fistful of flyers promoting the event.

Carnival in the Park takes a lot of work, Sallis says, even more so when organizers and volunteers want to eliminate the financial barrier. But in its ninth year the event continues to see 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 the same supporters come back every year. “It gives us continuity, it gives us consistency and it gives us that level of trust that all the stakeholders in here embrace that. And they’ve continued to do so.”

John Jaggars, a volunteer for Carnival in the Park, has helped Sallis and event organizers for the past three years. He says the joy that everyone gets out of the carnival — which also promotes diversity — keeps him coming back every year. The kids especially have a fun time and make use of all the fun amenities.

“It’s just good for the community all the way around,” Jaggars says. “I enjoy being a part of their good time. Seeing people smile and play together, whether they’re Black, purple, blue. It’s just a good thing all the way around. I consider it a privilege to be part of it. It’s rewarding as heck.”

Some community events like the Iowa State Fair can be cost prohibitive to families. Sallis does not want the community to spend a penny at Carnival in the Park. The food, games, bounce houses and products and services available at vendor booths are all free of charge.

“More importantly it gives the community the opportunity to interact with all different cultures,” Sallis says. “That is very important. There is so much divisiveness in our country now. It’s like we’re segregated. But you come to an event like this here. It’s open, it’s friendly, and you talk to people you don’t know.”

Sallis is the executive director of Integrated Treatment Services, which hosts Carnival in the Park. ITS provides several programs for cultural specific and racial/ethnic specific treatment. Sallis has a passion for helping people, particularly those who are in need of a second chance.

In the past Sallis was a former offender and was also in need of 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 who allowed him to grow, mature and find success. To put it bluntly, Sallis says he was not always a giving person.

He feels he owes the community a lot. He has an obligation to give back.

“Carnival in the Park gives us a sense of satisfaction, it gives us a sense of belonging to the community and it gives us an opportunity to give back to the community who has given me and my family so much,” Sallis says. “The fact the community has given me a second chance means a lot.”

If anything, Carnival in the Park has given Sallis the opportunity to show the town 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 doing this more than any of these kids could imagine. I get really excited during the week of the carnival.”

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. The Flavah Band and The Sears Band will be performing live music. Montana Mike’s will provide free burgers and hot dogs.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com