By LAURA ROBISON
The Progress
Once again, the Old Overton Gym will host its annual family friendly carnival on Friday, October 28. Kids with special needs can enjoy the carnival from 4:30-5 p.m. so they can get in and move around a lot better. Then the floodgates open for everyone from 5-7 p.m.
The Old Overton Gym was built in 1938, and many people from Moapa Valley have grown up using the gym as classrooms, dances, proms, basketball games, weddings and so much more.
Anita Shanahan has been in charge of the carnival for many years. “I got the idea for a carnival as our fundraiser to help with the upkeep of the Gym from when I went to school here way back when,” she said.
The first modern carnival was in 2008 and was a big hit, so the Board decided to make it a tradition.
Sherry Johnson and her daughter Jeannine Bowerman will sort and sell game tickets, which are $5 for 27. All games are 3 tickets to play. Kay Robison and Michelle Brammer have a great bake sale with goodies donated by many gifted people. Jackie Worthen serves up Frito Pie and corndogs for sale for $5.
The Shanahans help with set up and take down along with running their own booths. James and Candis Mayo run the popcorn booth with all the supplies donated by Simplot Silica. Dakotah Mayo runs the dart booth. Hannah Mayo has balloons and streamers for sale. Janie Shanahan and Lanie Jared do most of the running from booth to booth to make sure there is enough prizes and filling in whenever needed. And of course, there is the ever-popular pocket lady, played by Stephanie Viers this year.
The middle school dance team coached by Stephanie Thornton runs the carnival booths, and the school’s Honor Society puts together the spook alley which is very popular.
“Kids of all ages come to show off their cute costumes and play the games so they can go home with a bag full of goodies,” Shanahan said.
The entire event is a fundraisers for the maintenance of the Old Gym. All are welcome to put on your cutest or scariest costume on Friday night at the Old Overton Gym, 353 W. Thomas.
