Youth Sports Festival rolls into town next week
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Looking down Route 1, drivers do not usually see a petting zoo, alligators, pig racing and a clown, but that is all set to change next week.

Starting Wednesday, June 18, the North Brunswick Youth Sports Festival Committee will present its 11th annual carnival on the grounds adjacent to DeVry University off Route 1 north.

There will be rides by Amusements of America, games, a money wheel, Commerford's World-Famous Petting Zoo, a stunt show, pig racing, the Drown the Clown game, Kachunga and the Alligator Show, a magic show, nightly entertainment, the music of DJ Phil, a kids tent featuring face painting, tattoos, characters and balloon artists, and food vendors.

"This is a nice, beautiful event. With the economy the way it is and the gas prices, we're providing a mini state fair in North Brunswick, and you don't have to go down to the shore," said committee Chairman Darren Snediker.

The carnival will be open 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, with an appearance by the Flying Mueller Brothers band on Friday night. On Saturday, gates will open at 3 p.m. and a fireworks show will be held at 10 p.m. On Sunday the carnival will be open 3-11 p.m. and there will be a mega 50/50 raffle drawing at 9 p.m.

The admission is $3 per person, but there will be pay-one-price-for-rides offers on Wednesday and Thursday nights, Saturday 3-6 p.m., and all day Sunday.

All of the proceeds benefit the more than 1,500 children and teens involved in the various North Brunswick youth sports organizations, including soccer, baseball, softball, football, cheerleading and basketball. Each organization receives a certain amount of money based on the hours volunteered by members of the organizations, and then choose to use the funds for lower registration fees, new uniforms, clinics and trainings, travel experiences, jackets or extra tournaments.

"We look forward to this every year, putting it on for the kids," Snediker said. "All these organizations, the festival tries to help them out with the expenses of programs and to make costs to parents reasonable."

The committee also donates funds to other organizations, such as the high school's Project Graduation program.

"For five days of this festival, the benefits are one year of programs for the kids," Snediker said.

The committee, which is composed of about 30 volunteers, both parents and nonparents, meets throughout the year, scoping out new attractions at other carnivals.

"In the past 10 years we have become very close friends with the heads of different organizations in town. I think this festival has brought everyone closer together in the sports community in North Brunswick. There are friendships you can't break," Snediker said.

The carnival is sponsored by Bristol- Myers Squibb and the entertainment is sponsored by Blitzburgers of North Brunswick.