Antioch residents’ Mother’s Day festivities bring joy

Originally published in the May 14 edition of the Antioch Journal
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Antioch residents’ Mother’s Day festivities bring joy

By DAN MORRIS

ANTIOCH – Moms and their families took turns twirling on the Zipper, spinning in the Tea Cup ride and munching on funnel cakes during the annual Mother's Day Carnival in Antioch, which is sponsored by the 885 Civic Club.

Residents were treated to a taste of Coney Island at the corner of Route 83 and Orchard Street in downtown Antioch during the festivities last week.

The atmosphere at the carnival was thick with family fun. Moms, dads and kids darted from rides to games to cotton candy vendors. Smiles, laughter and excitement abounded at every turn.

Becky and Shawn Hiemstra brought their sons Sam and Jacob to the festivities for the boys' first carnival. Both watched as 4-year-old Sam spun through the turns on the Tornado roller coaster, all smiles as his gleeful shouts rang out.

For Becky, motherhood is all about joy.

“I love it,” she said.

Jill and Bob Hughes brought their kids Lauren and Jake to the carnival for the second time. While 4-year-old Jake twirled on the Tea Cups, 1-year-old Lauren anxiously waited her turn in her father's arms.

What's the carnival all about for the Hughes family?

“Rides for the kids,” said Bob, motioning to a grinning Lauren. “She loves it.”

“I'm lucky that I have two really great kids,” said Jill, before heading off with the family to win some prizes at the Bull's Eye game and filling Jake and Lauren up to the brim with corn dogs and elephant's ears.

There was no shortage of variety at the carnival, which offered many rides, including a carousel and Ferris wheel. The event offered something for the casual carnival cruiser as well as the hard-core adrenaline junkie.

Joe LaFleur, Chairman of 885 Civic Club's Carnival Committee, manned the ticket booth as thrill seekers queued up for their favorite rides.

“Every dime that we make goes into the town,” LaFleur said as he doled out tickets.

The carnival is the club's largest fundraiser, providing for four $1,000 scholarships that are given to students at Antioch High School and Lakes High School. It also provides for other charitable initiatives including PADS, Open Arms Food Pantry and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Windy City Amusements provided equipment and staff for the event. The company has been involved with the carnival since it's inception more than two decades ago.

The 885 Civic Club was chartered in 1965 as a nonprofit group to raise money and support the Antioch community. It takes its name from the club's original meeting place address: 885 Main Street.

Now, the club meets the first Wednesday of every month in a member's home. Along with the carnival, 885 Civic Club also plans social events throughout the year, such as Halloween parties and picnics.

The next carnival, however, is 12 months away. It is a tradition many Antioch families continue to turn to every Mother's Day.