When the current crop of seniors at Hackettstown High School were youngsters themselves, they enjoyed the annual Mini Winter Carnival. On Sunday, March 20, they will now be the ones hosting the event for local small fry to enjoy.

The carnival will be held from noon to 4 p.m. in the school’s new gymnasium. The school is on Warren Street. The cost is only $1.50 per person aged 3 and older with tickets for activities sold in 25-cent increments.
This popular “party” will feature face painting, hula hooping, hot dog eating, and goldfish catching. The WRNJ Birthday Wheel is a new addition to the festivities.

Hosted by the school’s Key Club and Kiwanis Club of Hackettstown, the Mini Winter Carnival invites the participation of other student organizations for an afternoon of games and activities geared toward the 3 to 11 year old set as a way to combat cabin fever and help raise funds for The Arc of Warren County.

All proceeds help support the Kiwanis cabin at The Arc’s Camp Warren in Knowlton Township.

Robert A. Pruznick, Arc CEO, says the long history of the carnival helps draw enthusiastic parents and children to an event that’s family-friendly and easy on the wallet.

“This is an excellent opportunity for Hackettstown’s students to provide a quality community event that not only raises needed funds for The Arc, but also provides a positive arena for highlighting the importance of acceptance and inclusion for all people, especially their friends who have intellectual disabilities,” he said.

He added, “We may not be a perfect society, but we get closer to it each year when Hackettstown High’s students and members of the community come together to make this event a success for the students and The Arc.”

This year’s theme is “Candy Land,” and winners of the event-related coloring contest will be honored at 3 p.m. Lunch and other refreshments will be sold by members of the Kiwanis Club.

The carnival also serves as the student kickoff for the 26th annual WRNJ Radiothon for The Arc, an extraordinary day of public awareness hosted by Hackettstown-based WRNJ Radio. The radiothon is set for Friday, April 22. It will be “live” and on the air all day from the showroom of Hackettstown Hyundai.

The Arc is a charitable 501c-3 organization dedicated to quality service and support for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, and their families. Founded in 1954, The Arc is a lifespan organization with countywide service addressing the early intervention, therapeutic recreation, family support, residential, supported employment, advocacy and referral, and family education needs of more than 1,100 people annually.