The potatoes, ice cream, drinks, hamburgers, hot dogs and fixings are all in.
The bingo stand is clean and the cage and bingo cards are in place.
The plates and goldfish are ready, the ring toss stand and quarter push are set to go.
Assignments are pretty much in place where volunteers will be helping out.
The strings of colorful lights have been on since the weekend.
The last rides are being checked, the cotton candy, funnel cake and lemonade trailers are ready to open.
In fact, about the only thing everyone’s waiting on is Friday night when the latest edition of the Buchanan Firemen’s Carnival & Fun Festival opens for its nine-day run through Sunday, July 4 (the carnival will be closed Sunday, July 27).
This annual fund-raiser for the Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department remains a community effort, and it becomes “the happening place” in Botetourt from the last Friday in June through the first Saturday (this year the first Sunday) in July.
Thousands are again expected over the course of the carnival to enjoy the free live music each night (bring a chair), to eat the famous Carnival Fries, for chiliburgers, rides, games, ice cream and to meet and chat with neighbors and friends.
Magic Midway Rides is again providing the rides, and will have special ride nights with discounted tickets Monday-Thursday, June 28-July 1.
There again will be two fireworks displays. The first is Saturday, June 26 at 10 p.m. and the carnival will close with the second one on Sunday, July 4 at 11 p.m.
The BVFD will hold its annual Fourth of July Parade that Sunday, too. It’s at 6 p.m. (lineup is at 5 p.m. on South Main Street).
The Firemen’s Carnival chicken BBQ is on Sunday, July 4 as well. Chicken will be available on the Carnival Grounds beginning at 11 a.m.
The entertainment kicks off Friday evening. That schedule on the bandstand includes:
• Friday, June 25—Moonshine Express
• Saturday, June 26—Glen Shelton and Rebels of Rhythm Cloggers
• Sunday, June 27—Closed
• Monday, June 28—Fiddler Crab Band
• Tuesday, June 29—Fiddler Crab Band
• Wednesday, June 30—Karaoke and 50’s Night by Randy Riddle
• Thursday, July 1—Charlie Miller Band
• Friday, July 2—Moonshine Express and Tri-County Cloggers
• Saturday, July 3—Croatan Sound Band and Rebels of Rhythm Cloggers
• Sunday, July 4—7 Mile Ford
There will be nightly drawings and raffle tickets for grand prizes throughout the carnival.
