GILBERT, Pa. — Games are being played, and the rides are spinning here at the West End Fairground. It's something many people in the community didn't think would take place this year.
That's because, at first, the West End Carnival was canceled for the second year in a row.
"This was put together in a hurry, in a rush when the fair had an open weekend. They're being very gracious with us, you know, they were being very good with us as far as providing them some help. But it was just something we put together to hopefully get some people out for a little fun," said Jeff Weiss, West End Fire Company President.
Last year the coronavirus pandemic canceled what would have been the carnival's second year.
It's hosted by four departments in Monroe County's West End.
All the money raised from the carnival will go to fueling the fire trucks and updating and maintaining equipment.
"We lost all of our fundraisers during the year. I mean, we have hall rentals, so we couldn't have banquets. We have a parking lot where our commuters park; we lost that because there were no commuters going to NYC," said Weiss. "We lost the festivals, we lost any other fundraisers that we could have had going out and helping people, and all four fire companies dealt with that for the past year."
The year's carnival is smaller than the first one in 2019 but still offers a lot for the family to do.
It's also a welcome event for local vendors.
Officials say the carnival is a win-win for those attending and the local fire departments who are benefiting.
"I think people should volunteer, donate when they can to places like that," said Tom Alberts, Palmerton. "Anything like that needs to get backing from us."
"None of the fire companies are paid out here, they're all volunteers, so they need all the help they can get. They're for you, so we have to be there for them," Darlene Beers, Jonas.
The West End Carnival runs through Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening.