Fun Frolic to run 9 days, benefit area children

Fun Frolic, put on by IU Campus Child Care and Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana, will kick off Friday. The carnival event will run for nine days until June 27.

Proceeds from the Fun Frolic will go toward both sponsoring organizations. The carnival will be in the west parking lot of Memorial Stadium.

Joanne Stebbins, associate development director at Big Brothers Big Sisters, has been part of planning for Fun Frolic.

Fun Frolic is “one of our big fundraisers ... something that we can count on,” Stebbins said. “It’s part of what helps us to match kids with adults in the community.”

Fun Frolic has taken place annually for 52 years by IU Campus Child Care program, but the program partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters about 10 years ago. The childcare program was looking to work with a nonprofit on the event and chose Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Big Brothers Big Sisters helps to match children with adults. Most of its funds come from donors and fundraisers, Stebbins said. The program currently serves about 500 children in Monroe and Owen counties, Stebbins said.

The carnival will happen rain or shine. During the week, the gates will open at 6 p.m., and on the weekends they will open at 5 p.m. There is no parking or entrance fee, so anyone can go, park and walk around to check it out. The only charges are for rides, games and food. Fun Frolic has specials for discounted ride prices, including wristbands.

“It’s really a fun, family-oriented event,” Stebbins said.