UKRAINIAN VILLAGE — St. Helen Catholic School’s 13th annual carnival kicks off on Friday in Ukrainian Village — and organizers say they’re estimating the family-friendly festivities will draw around 6,000 people.
Located on Augusta Boulevard between Western and Oakley avenues, the carnival will feature live music with headliner bands White Mystery (Friday) and She’s Crafty (Saturday). Tato Y Su Salsa Chicago Mambo All Stars will play the final set on Sunday.
View the full schedule for all 10 bands.
Carnival hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. At least six different rides along with games and food and drink vendors are planned for the event, where ticket sales go to the school. Admission to get into the carnival is free.
St. Helen School principal Marianne Johnson said the carnival will offer rides for people ages “3 to 93” and she’d not sure yet if the ride vendor will bring the Ferris wheel.
“We never know if there will be a Ferris wheel, some years they do bring it,” Johnson said.
The school’s largest fundraiser, the carnival is always held the weekend before the private Catholic school starts its fall year.
School begins on Tuesday for St. Helen students. This year will see a 15 percent spike in enrollment, with 415 students enrolled versus 360 last year.
Johnson said the school at 2347 W. Augusta Blvd. added two new preschool classes to accommodate the new students, bringing the total number of preschool classrooms to eight.
At the carnival, as an added perk, the Ukrainian Village People band, scheduled to play at 7 p.m. Saturday before White Mystery, will be selling Ukrainian Village People T-shirts for $25, or 2 for $40. Long sleeve, kids sizes and various style and colors are available.
“Show your neighborhood pride and pick up a Ukrainian Village People t-shirt available at the merchandise tent. This is one show you don’t want to miss to end the summer and one shirt you’ll want to wear all year!” the band posted on its Facebook page.
