Fun Frolic brings families together

Two-year-old Mason Leake scuttled from the moon walk to the boat ride, bustling with excitement and with a wide smile on his face as his grandmother, Terri Leake, trailed after him. \n“They’re all about the boats this year,” she said, lugging along stuffed-animal prizes and a diaper bag. “Last year it was the train, but I think they’re a little beyond that now.” \nMason and his sister Sierra, 4, hopped in line to the boat ride with a handful of other children as the Saturday afternoon sun faded and the brightly colored lights of all the rides at the 51st Annual Fun Frolic started to illuminate the night. \nThe Fun Frolic is being held nightly now until Saturday, and features carnival rides for the thrill seeker and young children alike as well as traditional carnival food and games.\n“We’ve been coming here every year since I was little bitty,” said Erin Leake as she watched her own children ride around in circles on the little colored cars of the boat ride. \n“It’s a family thing to do,” added her mother-in-law \nTerri Leake.\nA portion of the revenue from the carnival will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana and IU Child Care Centers. \n“It’s always fun to eat carnival food and relax and have fun together as a family,” said Lee Ann Jourdan, associate development director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana. “And money will go to two great organizations in town.”\nAbout 20 different attractions are at the carnival, according to Terry Stafford of Cumberland Valley Shows. Tickets are available in strips of five tickets for $5, 24 tickets for $20 or 72 tickets for $50. Thursday is a “2-for-1” ride night, and with one ticket two people gain access to the ride. Saturday is the “Last Blast” for the Fun Frolic, and wristbands will be available for $15 for access to all rides until 11 p.m.