Harbor carnival spans generations

By L.E. Crowley
Town correspondent

Some things have changed during the half-century the Knights of Columbus has hosted a carnival on Scituate Harbor: the types of rides, the music, and some of the food.

What hasn’t changed is the way bright lights and summer nights can bring families together.

“A lot of families say: ‘I’ll meet you at the fair,’” said Knights carnival chairman Bill Limbacher.

Celebrating its 50th year, the carnival opened Tuesday and runs until Saturday night. Roller coasters, fun houses and concession stands selling fried dough, soda and candy apples open each night at 7 p.m. and close at 11 p.m. Fireworks are held Friday and Saturday night at 11.

The popular carnival that now fills a section of the Cole Parkway behind Front Street’s shops, has been a mainstay and gathering point each summer since it began.

Generations of Scituate residents and their families from surrounding towns visit the carnival—and after 50 years, some, like Limbacher, have gone from dark hair to gray and instead of bringing their children, are now hoisting grandchildren onto carousel horses.
“There’s definitely generations of families who come,” Limbacher said.

While there is still a carousel, Limbacher said, each year the rides are different. “This year you may get a Round-Up, and next year you might get a roller coaster,” he said.

New rides this year include the Wacky Worm and Tornado, and bumper cars have returned.

There is no admission charge to the carnival, and proceeds from sales and a $10,000 raffle go to the many charities the Knights of Columbus support.