Fights, heights & bikes among carnival lineup
Youth Sports Festival celebrates 10th year next week at DeVry grounds
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

North Brunswick

NORTH BRUNSWICK - A motorcycle and high-wire stunt show, amateur boxing and wrestling matches, a reptile exhibition and an extreme animal show are the new attractions scheduled for the North Brunswick Youth Sports Festival, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year.

The festival, to be held next week at DeVry University on Route 1, raises funds for the various youth sports organizations in town. Members of each league volunteer their time to brainstorm new ideas, travel to other carnivals to view their attractions, and coordinate events to raise as much money as possible.

"We do this for the kids and we try to do it so the kids get as much out of it as possible," said committee Co-Chairman Rodney Reinson.

"We've come a long way. We started at a little parking lot at Sabella Park and it's amazing how fast the time goes. We just felt that it's been 10 years and everyone who volunteers to do this event and do it for 10 years is astounding. Without the township's support we wouldn't be here, so we have to compliment everyone in the township. Ten years of raising money for the kids of North Brunswick, for youth sports, is a dream for everybody," co-chairman Darren Snediker said.

In celebration of the decade-long progress, a tent will be set up with sports basket, bicycle, sports ticket and electronics raffles as well as a chance for free registration to each of the athletic clubs next season. In addition, a slide show of each organization will profile the children involved with the teams.

The festival will also feature its regular attractions such as pony rides, Commerford's petting zoo, games of chance, rides from Amusements of America, a kids tent with face painting, tattoos and characters, and 15 different food vendors. Fireworks will be held Saturday night at 10 p.m.

A committee of roughly 15 people work from about August to the week of the show preparing the event. Last year their efforts broke records in terms of attendance and money raised. Reinson said the carnival people running the show say that the Youth Sports Festival is one of the top 10 held on the East Coast.

"Building this from start to finish, I think the planning processes are my fondest memories," Snediker said, adding that, "we start as a little puzzle piece and come out to a big picture." He said his greatest memories include riding on a motorcycle on the high wire six years ago and combating his fear of heights by going on the Ferris wheel last year.

The carnival has created memories for Reinson as well, who enjoyed last year's tremendous success, but who would like to forget having to pump out water about four years ago due to a rainstorm.

"We're just hoping for good weather," he said.

Overall, the variety the festival provides in terms of new attractions and events is all for the benefit of the children, who have their league costs reduced per the amount of money raised by the show.

"We work very hard for seven months to make sure we have a beautiful event and have children's events. It's not always about the money: I like to see the smiles on families - that's worth it to me," Snediker said.

"All of the organizations are able to pull this off, and it helps us during our season. … It gets everyone to work together, and whether it's the 10th year or the first year, it's a great experience for all of the people we work with," Reinson said.

The festival will be held June 13-17 on Route 1 north by DeVry. The hours are Wednesday and Thursday 6-10 p.m., Friday 6-11 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday 3-10 p.m. There will be a separate fee for the wrestling event on Thursday at 6 p.m. and the all-day boxing event on Sunday. The carnival is sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb.