The fifth-annual Road Apple Carnival continues to grow, raising $6,200 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital, while providing a full day of free family-friendly fun for the community.
Bouncy houses, an inflatable obstacle course and velcro wall kept hundreds of kids busy on 106 Street, which was closed to vehicle traffic May 18, while inside Memorial Hall youngsters could get temporary tattoos, or try out a human-sized hamster ball, known as a Zorb Ball.
Meanwhile back out on the street, families could check out an antique vehicle show, grab a hot dog and cold pop, or go for a wagon ride around downtown. The evening dinner and dance, the only event there was a charge for and where the money to the Stollery came from, was back in Memorial Hall and featured music by the Ghost Riders.
Outback Western Wear and Tack co-owner Dale Ehmler, who along with his daughter Tanya Dul started the event back in 2015, was all smiles looking back on the day. Throughout the years the carnival has continued to gain momentum by adding new events, a bevy of co-organizers and sponsors and of course, volunteers.
“It was a great success as far as I’m concerned. We always see more and more kids taking part in the carnival than we did in past years, but we want to keep improving it. It’s come a long way, but certainly has a ways to go yet,” said Ehlmer, noting their donation to the Stollery this year is up by $1,000.
“Our dinner, dance and silent auction was just fantastic and went so smoothly. We probably had three times the people that we had last year. But without the great support of the businesses of this community, the volunteers and our sponsors … without them we couldn’t even put this on. Thank you.”
As for the sixth annual Ehmler said brainstorming has already started and they’re always looking for fresh faces to get involved.
“It’s already being planned,” said Ehmler with a chuckle. “We have some new ideas already in the works for next year, but we always want to keep the carnival free for the community, that’s really important to us.
“We will not turn down any businesses, or volunteers that want to be involved, we welcome them.”
