Backus Community Center will host a football-themed carnival Sept. 6 to raise money for the Green Acres playground as part of the Pennies for Play project.
The carnival will take place at the Backus parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the carnival will be held inside the Backus building. The community is welcome to participate in the family-friendly event that will feature games, face painting, food and a purple and gold extreme fan costume contest, according to a release.
All money raised will go towards the Pennies for Play project, which is collecting donations to refurbish a 20-year-old play structure at Green Acres Park on Sixth Avenue East between 16th and 17th Streets. The project, sponsored by Backus Community Center, began last October, when Stewart’s Super One Foods partnered with Backus collecting more than $1,100 from product sales, the release said. The campaign will continue until the goal of $30,000 has been raised.
Carnival attendees are encouraged to dress in purple and gold, Bronco or Minnesota Vikings apparel, and enter to win a prize for the best costume.
Carnival grand Marshall is International Falls native, Frank Youso, an original member of the Minnesota Vikings inaugural team of 1961. Youso played in the “Greatest Game Ever Played,” the 1958 NFL Championship game between the New York Giants, for which Youso played, and the Baltimore Colts.
The event will feature football-themed carnival games and activities aimed at children of all ages. Concessions will be available.
Tickets will be sold at the door for food and games. The silent auction of Minnesota Vikings autographed items will be wrapped up at 1 p.m. with items being awarded to the highest bidder. Items being auctioned are a Teddy Bridgewater signed football, a Randall McDaniel signed mini-helmet, and signed photos of Adrian Peterson, Everson Griffen and Randall McDaniel.
For more information, to be a collection point or to donate, contact Robin Bjorkquist at Backus Community Center, 218-285-7225 or email backusoffice@backusab.org.
