Date: Fri 10-Jul-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Fourth-of-July-party-Haury

Full Text:

Neighborhood Stages A July 4th Party To Remember

(with cuts)

George and Cheryl Haury of 8 Bridge End Farm Lane in Sandy Hook thought they'd

celebrate Independence Day in high style.

So they chipped in with several friends and staged a neighborhood July 4 party

last Saturday for the residents of their neighborhood.

While one sees Ferris wheels, giant slides, twisters and kiddie rides most

often arrayed for carnivals in shopping centers or church parking lots, in

this case the equipment was positioned on the manicured front lawns of several

houses in the neighborhood adjacent to Lake Zoar.

Town officials didn't warm to the idea of having a fireworks display on Bridge

End Farm Lane, so holding a private carnival was the next best thing, Mr Haury

explained.

The carnival became an "alternative" way for Bridge End Farm Lane residents to

celebrate the nation's independence from Great Britain, he said.

All told, the event cost more than $8,000, he said. Imperial Shows of Old

Saybrook supplied the mechanical amusements which neighborhood children rode

free of charge.

Arrayed on the immaculate residential front lawns were a Ferris wheel,

rotating tea cups, a large sliding board, miniature fire engines, and a

twister ride, as well as two air-walk rides.

Who could question staging a private carnival if it provides enjoyment to the

local children?, Mr Haury asked. Initially, town officials said they'd never

heard of staging a private carnival, but the organizers eventually got all the

needed permits for the event, he said.

To benefit the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, the carnival held

a raffle to raise funds for the Cairns Iris fund. The fund will be used to buy

an infrared heat detector to help firemen fight fires.