The bright lights, screams of people on fun-filled rides, smells of french fries, candy apples and cotton candy, and the sounds of music will return to Carroll County Monday as the 1994 fire department carnival season opens.
The traditional six-day carnivals are major fund-raisers for 11 of the county's 14 volunteer fire companies.
Money from rides, food sales, game booths and raffles goes toward the purchase of new equipment, which is not financed by the county.
Fun-seekers have a choice of two carnivals next week: Union Bridge, for many years the opening carnival in the county, and Gamber, which began having its event during Memorial Day week about five years ago.
"We have a pretty nice carnival," said Jerry Harris, the Union Bridge carnival committee chairman. "We have a nice VFW parade, and people say we have some of the best food around for carnival food, so we're proud of it."
Union Bridge's carnival will open with a Memorial Day parade at 6 p.m. Monday from Hahn's Transport to the VFW Union Memorial Post 8806 on Penrose Avenue, where a memorial service will be held. Maryland Comptroller Louis L. Goldstein will be the guest speaker.
The carnivals also have bands that will entertain with a variety of music each night. Union Bridge's lineup is Roll the Dice on Monday, Stillwater on Tuesday, Son of a Gun on Wednesday, On the Border on Thursday, Bootleg on Friday and Free Wheeling on Saturday.
Tuesday and Thursday are ride nights -- ride all you can from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for $7. Union Bridge also will serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and buffet dinners from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
"We get a pretty good turnout for lunch," Mr. Harris said. "The older people who eat out come, and Lehigh people breaking for lunch come because they know it's there that week."
The Union Bridge carnival grounds are on Locust Street. Information: 775-7422.
Gamber's carnival opens Monday and continues through Saturday at the carnival grounds beside the firehouse on Route 32 at Niner Road.
Opening night includes fireworks and all-night rides for $8. Other activities include: the Liberty High School Jazz Ensemble and rides for $7 on Tuesday, music by Dixie Highway and rides for $8 Wednesday, country music by 4 X 4 and rides for $7 Thursday, the sounds of Branded and rides for $8 Friday, and Just Us singing Saturday.
