On a cool, crisp night on September 20^th, children ran, devoured sugar, and rode rides until they were dizzy with sickness.

The smell of outside, carnival food, and excitement attracted more people to what is famously known as the Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department Carnival.

Each year the Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department holds an annual fair to raise money to buy equipment to help save and protect the community. This year was its 24th annual carnival.

According to Mareen Newman, a volunteer at BVFD, “the average calls to a fire department a year is 53, which is a lot. By raising money, we are helping the fire department raise the money for the equipment they use every time.”

It’s not hard raising money for the fire department because there were many rides to attract the people.

Amanda Banfield, a student at Paint Branch High School, attended the fair and said, “Yeah, I like going to the carnival, I get to see all of my friends that I haven’t seen in a while.”

Another volunteer at BVFD carnival, Christine Stephen, said, “There are mostly the same rides each year, but this year there are two new rides. I enjoy doing this every year.”

Old and new rides were present at the fair this year. The hall of mirrors known as Mardi gras at this fair, contains endless hallways, stairs, and a slippery slide.

The Sidewinder ride is full of spinning and swinging as it vertically and horizontally swings two people in a car-like seat.

After riding this ride – two people were visible having a hard time standing. Fortunately, unhealthy, delicious fair food and junk awaited.

Stands contained cheesy fries, fried chicken strips, pickles, fried Oreos, popcorn, cotton candy, caramel apples, snow cones, and much more.

Lastly, people made their way to the prize stand where stuffed dolls of snakes, puppies, banana Jamaican dolls, frogs, lizards, dolphins and air dolls, such a Dora and Sponge Bob, stood ready to be won. All these prizes could be won by trying your luck at bowling or hitting high on the striker at the striker game.

The BVFD event not only helps to save the lives of many, but also lets people have a night of unforgettable fun.