Edgewood-Joppatowne Carnival Comes to Joppatowne Plaza

The annual Edgewood-Joppatowne carnival returned to Joppatowne Plaza this Monday, heralding the start of the summer season.

“The [Edgewood-Joppatowne] carnival has never been the biggest carnival, but it’s always been a quaint place to hang out,” said Daniel McFalls, an attendee at the carnival since its inception in 2007.

The carnival seeks to raise enough money to support the Edgewood-Joppatowne Independence Day parade. According to Dianna Guthrie, one of the organizers of the event, the carnival typically raises between $10,000 and $13,000–just enough to fund the parade.

“The carnival is for the community,” Guthrie said. “All the profits go to funding the parade and eventually scholarships for community students.”

In fact the carnival is almost entirely community-created, even down to some of the rides themselves. According to Roger Wadkins of Sherwood Amusements, the company which supplies the carnival equipment for the event, some of the rides were made in the Joppa area.

Guthrie described the carnival as a cheaper and more local alternative to attending more expensive venues such as Six Flags.

“A lot of folks in the area can’t afford to go to Hershey Park or Six Flags…so the carnival is an alternative way to spend the afternoon,” Guthrie said.

Guthrie was out helping to sell tickets and lend a hand with other tasks during the opening night, despite having recently suffered a heart attack.

“We just opened the doors, and it’s already filled with people who came out despite the threat of thunderstorms,” Guthrie said, “the greatest part of the carnival and the parade is the feeling of community spirit.”

In addition to eventually offering scholarships to local students with proceeds from the event, Guthrie hopes to hold two carnivals next year, one in Edgewood and one in Joppatowne.

The carnival continues through May 30. The hours of operation are 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. every day through Friday, May 27; 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, May 28; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday, May 29; and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.Monday, May 30. Tickets for rides are purchased on the premises, and carnival style food and games are available.

The Independence Day Parade is scheduled for Saturday, July 2 at 6 p.m. starting at the Boys and Girls Club on Cedar Drive in Edgewood and ending at Edgewood Middle School.

Volunteers for either the carnival or parade, or those seeking more information, should call Guthrie at 410-679-9399 or Sue Heselton at 410-679-1991.