COUNTY

Outdoor carnivals coming to Gastonia in June

City approves permits for two events, which will each last more than a week

Michael Barrett
mbarrett@gastongazette.com
A pair of carnivals and festivals coming to Gastonia in June will feature a variety of rides and attractions. [Special to The Gazette]

A pair of outdoor community events will make their debut in June at two different retail complexes in Gastonia.

The first will be a carnival that sets up shop in one of the main parking lots at the Franklin Square shopping center from June 1 to 10. The second will be a festival taking place in the parking lot outside Eastridge Mall along North New Hope Road from June 15 to 24.

City Council members received applications from two groups that plan to put the events on. They approved permits for both festivals after holding public hearings Tuesday.

The carnival at Franklin Square will be based in front of Wal-Mart, adjacent to Chik-fil-A and McDonald’s. A company known as KevaWorks, in conjunction with Michael’s Enterprises, will bring 18 to 20 rides, three to four booth games, and two food booths as part of their attractions. No alcoholic beverages will be sold or allowed on site, and no tents will be involved in the setup.

The carnival will operate from 5 to 10 p.m. weeknights and 1 to 10 p.m. weekends. The company itself will hire off-duty security to oversee things there, with two officers working weekdays, and three officers on weekends.

Gastonia-based Events on Main will put together the second festival outside Eastridge Mall in late June. It will consists of a number of rides, entertainment and food booths, as well as amplified sound and tents. It will also feature a grand fireworks show at dusk on Saturday, June 23, requiring the closure of a portion of Aberdeen Boulevard on the east side of the mall. Alcohol will also not be sold or allowed on the premises.

The carnival hours will vary, but will primarily be 5 to 9 p.m. weeknights and 1 to 11 p.m. weekends.

You can reach Michael Barrett at 704-869-1826 or on Twitter @GazetteMike.