East Ann Street will be transformed into a Kids Karnival with a giant inflatable slide, dunk tank and more during a special event at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada on Saturday.
Entry is free. Games will start at 25 cents.
"It's a fund-raiser, but it's also a chance for us to thank the community for all their support and it's sort of an open house," said Erin Lehman of the museum.
The museum and its gift shop will be open to visitors while the street outside will be lined with booths offering face painting, a duck pond, hair braiding and "plant a plant."
At one table children will be able to make an invention from spare parts. If they make a boat, they can enter it in the boat race.
"And one neat thing is we're giving prizes to all children who enter, so they'll get a prize whether they win or not," Lehman said.
There will also be jump-rope contests, hula hoop contests and cake walks. Albertson's and the Carson Nugget donated the cakes.
Special guests will include Sheriff Kenny Furlong, McGruff the Crime Dog and Bobby the Talking Safety Boat (operated by remote control from out sight).
Smokey Bear and a fire truck will be on hand to celebrate the Forest Service mascot's 60th birthday.
Red's Old 395 Grill will be offering hot dogs and sausages for $1.
"They'll bring their big barbecue down. They donate their time, so they're wonderful," Lehman said.
Several charity and service groups, including the Carson High School Key Club, will help operate booths.
Other activities for children will include a shower relay, bubble mania, leap frog, easel painting, go fish, the dinosaur dig and fingernail painting.
The museum's major fund-raiser is the annual Jester Jog Fun Run held in April. This year it raised almost $10,000, Lehman said.
The Kids Karnival will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum, 813 N. Carson St.
Call 884-2226 for details.
Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.
