For the 21st year in a row, the Foothills Merry Go Round Festival will be held in Shelby City Park Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29, 2018. Hours will be 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Saturday and 1 - 7 p.m. on Sunday.
"It's a lot of fun with something for everyone, and the cost makes it such a great deal for families," says Charlie Holtzclaw, parks and recreation director for the city of Shelby. Admission for the event is $8 each day for ages 24 months and up. Children under 24 months are admitted free. The admission fee covers all rides and shows in the festival.
"This festival is so popular with the community - it used to be only one day, but through the years we had so many people coming out that we decided to expand it to two days," says Holtzclaw.
And the festival packs a lot of activities into those two days. Along with traditional carnival rides, the festival offers shows such as "Magical Illusions with Captain Jim the Pirate," Bubbleman (Saturday only), and Circus Stella (Sunday only), along with costumed characters such as Spider Man and Deadpool, a balloon artist, face painting, games, and a wide variety of carnival food.
"We always make sure to have plenty of rides for smaller children as well as the traditional 'big-kid' rides," says Holtzclaw.
Another feature of this year's festival will be the recently reopened "All Aboard Park" playground, which has been renovated to provide fun and accessible park rides for kids and adults, including those with disabilities.
Saturday night's activities will end with a fireworks extravaganza at 9 p.m.
"We hope everyone will come out, bring the family, and just have a great time," says Holtzclaw.
For more information about the festival, call 704-484-6881 or visit
www.cityofshelby.com/parks.