June 25, 2015 By Michael Florio
The Astoria Park Carnival, which is hosted by the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition, starts today at the Astoria Park parking lot and will run through Sunday.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the annual event, according to Marie Tornialli, the organization’s executive director. “Ten thousand people in total showed up over the four days last year,” she said.
“We expect a similar, if not larger, crowd this year,” Tornialli said. “We just hope for good weather.”
Carnival attendees—depending on age– will be able to take a spin on more than one dozen rides, including the Ferris wheel and a small roller coaster. There will be several rides for children, Tornialli said.
People will be able to play a variety of games and there will be a wide selection of food vendors to choose from.
While admission is free, attendees do have to pay for games, rides and food.
The four-day event will lead up to the 2015 Independence Celebration next Tuesday on the park’s great lawn.
That celebration will kick off with a concert by the West Point Band at 7:30 pm. The fireworks display will then follow at approximately 9:15 pm.
Tornialli said the organization hosts these events as a way to give back to the community.
“They are great family events,” she said. “The community, of all ethnicities, come out and have fun.”
This weekend’s carnival schedule is as follows:
Thursday 4 pm – 10 pm
Friday 4 pm – 11 pm
Saturday Noon – 12 am
Sunday Noon – 11:30 pm
