Carnival in the Park returns for 11th year on Saturday

Carnival in the Park returns this weekend for its eleventh consecutive year. The community-based celebration is hosted by Integrated Treatment Services, LLC and has been going strong by offering free food and entertainment for all families. The carnival begins at 10 a.m. Aug. 24 at Aurora Park in Newton.

Families can enjoy bounce houses, games, raffles, food and live music by blues artists Tony Brown, Jim Sears and Kevin Burt.

Sponsored by Integrated Treatment Services and Montana Mike’s Steakhouse, the carnival is held every year around the time school starts and after the Iowa State Fair. Terry Sallis, the founder of the carnival, said this is entirely intentional as it allows families to enjoy a fun summer event without financial constraints.

“We’re not as big as the Iowa State Fair, and we don’t have the resources to get ferris wheels or things like that,” Sallis said in the past. “But we do the best that we can and make sure the kids in our community can have a fun event that’s not going to cost their family a penny prior to going back to school.”