Catholic School to Host Carnival on St. Francis Field

For the first time in at least four years, St. Francis Field in the borough’s downtown will host a carnival that will start this week.

The Home and School Association at is organizing the event, which will start Thursday, June 28, and run through Tuesday, July 3. The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. All proceeds will go toward the school’s operating budget.

“We’re trying to bring something good back to the community, and at the same time trying to raise money for the school,” said Christina Leahy, vice president of the HSA. 

, located at 318 Church St., held a carnival for several years on its field, which is about 100 yards from the church. But the church stopped holding the carnival about four or five years ago and it hasn't run since. 

St. Francis School merged last year with St. Hedwig, and so far, the merger has been successful, according to a story recently published in the Citizen’s News. The schools have an enrollment of 228 for next year, Leahy said. During the merger, the school said it would need tuition from about 218 students to break even. 

The HSA hopes fundraisers like the carnival will not only make money to help the school, but will become an annual tradition that people can look forward to, Leahy said.

This will be one of the largest school fundraisers, along with a golf tournament and comedy night, that the HSA will hold this year.

This carnival will be run by Marenna Amusements based in Orange. It will feature games, rides and food, such as fried dough, fried Oreos, cotton candy and popcorn.

There is no admission fee. Attendees can pay for rides and concessions.