By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Of the many losses to COVID-19 over the past 27 months, one may have stayed under the radar more than most: the small carnival. Already working on shoestring budgets and booking months in advance, the industry has little margin for error.
With no carnival at the Barton County Fair or Ellinwood After Harvest Festival this year, county residents are left with one option: Hoisington's Labor Day Celebration. But Chamber Director Karen Baldyga said that comes with a caveat.
"This could potentially be our last year," she said. "That is because, unfortunately, carnivals are getting smaller and smaller. Many have had to close their doors due to COVID. This carnival has been able to purchase rides from another carnival, but they had to take on some of their dates. Next year, one of their dates coincides with ours."
Liberal's Weee Entertainment returns to the Labor Day Celebration for a fourth-straight year. The carnival will be open Friday through Sunday evenings from 6-10 p.m. For the big day Monday, the carnival will be open from noon to 5 p.m., then again from 6-10 p.m. Wristbands for each session are $30 and will be valid only for that session. Attendance at this year's carnival could decide the fate of the carnival at future celebrations.
"They will decide after our event if they are able to come back," Baldyga said. "The decision will be based on dollars. If we have enough people come out and enjoy the carnival, we may be able to get them back next year. If we don't, we as a chamber will be reaching out to the community, hoping people can give us some ideas or have some contacts for other carnivals or other ideas. We want it to be something the community has input into in what we do going forward."
Along with the carnival, the city will have nearly a dozen food and retail vendors in the area.