Newtown Parks & Recreation held its first Fall Carnival from October 20 to 22 on the Fairfield Hills campus, offering a chance to eat, enjoy rides, and play carnival games.

Food trucks were lined up offering food on one side of the carnival, and on the other side families milled about, with children generally leading the way to rides or games.

Parks & Recreation Director Amy Mangold and Assistant Director of Recreation RoseAnne Reggiano said on October 21 - as families were enjoying the carnival around them - that the weather was perfect for the event.

"I don't think we could have ordered a better weekend," said Ms Mangold.

Ms Reggiano and Ms Mangold said Newtown Parks & Recreation staff "stepped up" to take on many of the organizing efforts, and they both said resident Bob Connor - who first approached Ms Reggiano with the idea for the carnival - was also a "big help." The Stewart Amusement Company, Ms Mangold said, partnered with Newtown Parks & Recreation for the event.

The carnival raised money for the Parks Gift Fund, which Ms Mangold said supports programs and more. She observed that the carnival was an event held for the community, to support the community.

Ms Reggiano said people she spoke to at the carnival had already asked about plans to hold the Fall Carnival again next year.

Following the weekend, Ms Reggiano said roughly 3,000 to 4,500 people attended the three-day event, according to ticket sales. Some people also attended just to visit the food trucks, but did not need to purchase tickets to enter the carnival.