Scott Parker hasn’t missed a single carnival since the day he was born — and even before.
“I’m 45 years old — this is my 46th carnival,” said Parker, smiling. “I was here when my mom was pregnant with me.”
Chairperson of the annual carnival and parade for the last 15 years, Parker is just one of dozens of members of the Farmington Volunteer Fire Association who’ve poured their blood, sweat and tears into planning the three-day carnival. Dressed as a pirate on Saturday he hovered over a hot grill in the blistering heat.
“We’ve got a pirate theme here in the food tent just to have fun with the kids,” said Parker. “It’s been a long, hot week.”
Fortunately, he had an army of volunteers to help out, including Doug and Karen Ford of Farmington, who enlisted the help of their 13-year-old granddaughter, Mackela Slowe of Canandaigua.
“I can’t think of a better way to spend my birthday,” said Slowe, who was excited to both volunteer and enjoy the carnival rides.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Doug Ford. “I enjoy the camaraderie of all the old-timers who come out and visit. I grew up in this area and have lived here for 50 years. And now I’ve been (volunteering) for 20 years.”
“It’s a great carnival,” added Ford’s wife, Ladies Auxiliary member Karen Ford. “It’s big and exciting, and just to see all the kids, the parade, is (great). I’ve been here for 37 years.”
Tom, Kelly, Peyton and Parker Danks of Farmington didn’t seem to mind the heat at all as they munched on a round of sno-cones.
“I liked the dragon ride,” volunteered 4-year-old Parker.
“I liked it all, except the Ferris wheel,” said Parker’s 7-year-old brother, Peyton, who marched with the boy scouts in the Friday night parade. His favorite part of the carnival, hands down, was the cheeseburgers.
Among the weekend’s highlights were an assortment of carnival rides and food, live music, games of chance, a fish fry, a chicken barbecue, a children’s parade, free drawings, Operation SAFE Child fingerprinting and picture IDs by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, an Ontario County K-9 demonstration, a fireworks display, and a two-hour parade.
“We had 89 units scheduled for the parade itself, and 8 music units — a nice variety,” said Parker, “and over 5000 people watching.”
“The boys love it and it’s nice to see old friends,” said Kelly Danks. “It gives you a chance to get caught up with everybody. It’s a small-town family event.”
Scott Parker hasn’t missed a single carnival since the day he was born — and even before.
“I’m 45 years old — this is my 46th carnival,” said Parker, smiling. “I was here when my mom was pregnant with me.”
Chairperson of the annual carnival and parade for the last 15 years, Parker is just one of dozens of members of the Farmington Volunteer Fire Association who’ve poured their blood, sweat and tears into planning the three-day carnival. Dressed as a pirate on Saturday he hovered over a hot grill in the blistering heat.
“We’ve got a pirate theme here in the food tent just to have fun with the kids,” said Parker. “It’s been a long, hot week.”
Fortunately, he had an army of volunteers to help out, including Doug and Karen Ford of Farmington, who enlisted the help of their 13-year-old granddaughter, Mackela Slowe of Canandaigua.
“I can’t think of a better way to spend my birthday,” said Slowe, who was excited to both volunteer and enjoy the carnival rides.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Doug Ford. “I enjoy the camaraderie of all the old-timers who come out and visit. I grew up in this area and have lived here for 50 years. And now I’ve been (volunteering) for 20 years.”
“It’s a great carnival,” added Ford’s wife, Ladies Auxiliary member Karen Ford. “It’s big and exciting, and just to see all the kids, the parade, is (great). I’ve been here for 37 years.”
Tom, Kelly, Peyton and Parker Danks of Farmington didn’t seem to mind the heat at all as they munched on a round of sno-cones.
“I liked the dragon ride,” volunteered 4-year-old Parker.
“I liked it all, except the Ferris wheel,” said Parker’s 7-year-old brother, Peyton, who marched with the boy scouts in the Friday night parade. His favorite part of the carnival, hands down, was the cheeseburgers.
Among the weekend’s highlights were an assortment of carnival rides and food, live music, games of chance, a fish fry, a chicken barbecue, a children’s parade, free drawings, Operation SAFE Child fingerprinting and picture IDs by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, an Ontario County K-9 demonstration, a fireworks display, and a two-hour parade.
“We had 89 units scheduled for the parade itself, and 8 music units — a nice variety,” said Parker, “and over 5000 people watching.”
“The boys love it and it’s nice to see old friends,” said Kelly Danks. “It gives you a chance to get caught up with everybody. It’s a small-town family event.”
