Carnival returns, bringing pep to rural Kendall
Annual rite is happily welcomed back
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – The Kendall Fire Department kicked off its annual carnival today, a three-day event that is a much-anticipated reunion for many residents and former Kendall community members.
In the top photo, David Quin Nenni III waves to his mother, Denise Staats of Kendall, while on one of the many carnival rides.
Staats attended the carnival when she was a kid, and is happy the Fire Department keeps the tradition going.
Kendall firefighters Dave Cole, left, and Tom Drennan pull some steamed clams out and get them ready for a customer. Firefighter Craig Herman also worked with the steamed clams with Cole and Drennan. Herman said the carnival started in the 1940s. His grandfather, Joe Herman, helped put on the first carnival back then.
Today the carnival helps pay for the ambulance, and building maintenance, utilities and upkeep, said Fire Chief David Schultz. About 50 firefighters and many other community members help plan and run the carnival.
“It’s a lot of work preparing for it, getting the rides here, the food and the music,” Schultz said. “But it’s always a good time.”
A rider on the Super Trooper carnival ride is high in the air with a full moon in the distance.
Josh Brodie of Kendall enjoys a ride with his friend Miranda Shubert of Hamlin.
There is plenty of cotton candy, deep friend dough, candy apples and other carnival fare. The event continues until Saturday night.
The acoustic rock band Swamp Moose entertained. The band includes Steve Lauth, left, and Gil Eller of Hamlin.
