Games, food, bargains highlight St. Benedict carnival

For more than 50 years, St. Benedict Catholic Church in Shawnee has delighted the community with a carnival that brings friends and neighbors of all ages together for a fun-filled day.
The St. Benedict carnival tradition was started by the Rev. Claude Sons, O.S.B., who was pastor from 1943-1958, as a fundraiser for the parish. The carnival has since grown considerably bigger both in scope and attendance and has become a fall tradition for Shawnee and surrounding areas.
This year, the 55th annual carnival at St. Benedict Catholic Church is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. The festivities provide a day of fun and free entertainment, including hunting for bargains, bidding for items at the silent auction and sampling foods from an international menu.
The all-day event will begin at 8 a.m. with breakfast at the community room of the Massoth Education Building, 632 N. Kickapoo. Granny’s Attic, a parish-wide garage sale, also will begin at 8 a.m. at the Benedict Center.  Parishioners have been gathering household items for Granny’s Attic the past few months. While no clothing will be available, bargain hunters will find plenty of household goods, small appliances, books, bric-a-brac, furniture and other items.
Games and booths for the carnival proper will open at 10 a.m. Games include the Euro Bungee, ring toss, darts, Plinko, football toss, pick-a-pop, frog jump, basket shot and others.
Carnival goers can bid at the silent auction for collectible sports cards, gift baskets, sailing lessons, gift certificates, art items and other professional services such as dental and veterinarian care, family portrait or carpet cleaning. 
Barbara Porter, who is in charge of silent auction, said this year they have for bidding a refurbished antique saddle donated by a parishioner. The saddle will adorn any western home or can be used for horseback riding.
For smaller youth, there will be a children’s area that features inflatable games such as the moon walk and the obstacle course Maggie the Monster. There also will be face painting, fishing game, duck pond and a craft-making booth.
The MOM’s booth will have available a variety of arts and craft items, seasonal decorations and pots of mums, and the Knights of Columbus will offer bingo with prizes.
Visitors will be able to sample an eclectic menu of German, Chinese and American savories along with Indian tacos, funnel cakes, cotton candy and pies and cakes by the slice.
A full slate of free entertainment has been scheduled throughout the day, showcasing dancers from local studios, bands from the area and other local talents.
The Rev. Don Wolf, pastor, said proceeds from the carnival will go toward supporting the ministries and projects of the parish, which in turn will benefit the community at large.
“The St. Benedict carnival has been a celebration for our parish and Shawnee for more than two generations,” Wolf said. “To be able to keep the carnival going for 55 years is a testimony to the hard work and dedication of many people of the parish. We invite everyone to come to the carnival to celebrate with us.”