Not just for fun

The parking lot west of Memorial Stadium, usually vacant in the summer months, has been transformed into a colorful array of sights, sounds and tastes this week. \nThe 46th annual Fun Frolic has come to Bloomington.\nIU students and Bloomington residents have been enjoying the festival since Friday. Traditional carnival activities are offered, including rides, games and food.\nFun Frolic is a collaboration between Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Central Indiana and IU Day Care. The two organizations will split a portion of the proceeds between various causes.\n"We kind of share the portion that we get," said Tom Hargis, development director for Big Brothers Big Sisters. "Last year it was around $28,000, and then we split that 60/40. Sixty (goes) to IU Daycare and 40 (goes) to Big Brothers Big Sisters." \nTim Dunnuck, coordinator for Child Care Services at IU Day Care, said the money allotted to IU Day Care will go to extra items needed that are not included in the budget.\n"The IU-Bloomington portion is divided five ways among our five child care centers, and then the directors and parents of each of those centers make the decision on how to spend that money," Dunnuck said. "Normally it's for items that are not included in the regular budget. They might buy something for their playground or new learning materials."\nBecause the festival is held to raise money for children, Fun Frolic is intended to be a fun, family event, Hargis said.\n"An event like this is for the entire family," Hargis said. "It's a family-friendly event, and parents and kids can go out and have a good time."\nMost nights the festivities begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are 75 cents individually or $15 for 24 tickets. However, tonight and Saturday feature special promotions.\nTonight will be "2-for-1 Free Ride" night, and for each paying participant, a friend will ride free.\nSaturday will be Bloomington residents' last chance to attend Fun Frolic, and from 3 to 7 p.m., participants can ride unlimited rides with one $12 bracelet.\nThe Fun Frolic has become a big part of Bloomington history. It has made an appearance every year since 1957 and become a linking force between the Bloomington community and IU.\nIt hasn't always been affiliated with child care, though. The festival was once sponsored by IU staff, Dunnuck said.\n"For years it was sponsored by the IU-Bloomington staff council, which was an organization which represented all of the support staff on campus," Dunnuck said. "When the support staff became unionized, the staff council disbanded. So they were looking for a new sponsor, one from campus and one from the community."\nBig Brothers Big Sisters and IU Day Care have sponsored it as a joint effort since then.\nDunnuck and Hargis agree that the collaboration makes sense because both organizations benefit local youth.\n"The partnership works because both (programs) are dedicated to offering the best service to children and their families, and we're both kind of serving the entire family," Hargis said.\nThe Fun Frolic will be in Bloomington until Saturday. \nThe event will be a great chance for members of the Bloomington community and IU staff, faculty and students to mingle, Hargis said.\n"It's a nice town-and-gown collaboration," Hargis said.\n-- Contact campus editor Karen Green at kamgreen@indiana.edu.