Last week’s YMCA carnival proved a hit for local families looking for entertainment close to home, says Y director Amanda Phillips. The three-day event, held Thursday through Saturday, drew many attendees. While the heat was punishing, the lack of inclement weather proved a blessing, the Y director said.

“We had 800 people who came through the gates last week. We found out some came back just to get another funnel cake or corn dog. They were that good,” Phillips said.

With youngsters enjoying the rides and games, and many exiting the grounds with prizes won in their hands, Phillips considers the facility’s first event of this type to be an unqualified success.

And the figures tallied agree.

“We raised more than $2,500 for our Partners in Youth Scholarship Foundation, which is just wonderful,” Phillips said. The monies will be used to help fund scholarships to the YMCA for disadvantaged youth and families.

Phillips says the carnival, marking the end of the school year and the start of summer, will become an annual event for the Greenville YMCA.

And they are already thinking of ways to improve it, she adds.

“Next year, we want to invite local singing groups and bands to come play and sing during the carnival. It gives them a chance to perform, provides more entertainment for the folks, and it’s just better all around,” Phillips said.