The Community Chest Carnival is probably my most favourite carnival ever (website isnt updated for 2010, but I emailed them for dates for this year, see below)! I’ve been going ever since I was a child, and I still remember going with my parents, and my dad would find the large tower with the Red Feather logo on it and that would be our meeting point if we got split up (this was before cellphones, of course). We never needed to use the tower, but its a nice memory of mine.

The carnival itself is more of a food fair really. They have tents based on various countries and the authentic food you can buy there. For example, the China tent will have Chow Mein, etc, Italian will have pizzas and pastas, and the Mexican tent will have Tequila! They also have an oyster stall which definately have the best oysters I have ever tasted! And they’re priced great (last time it was R6 per oyster or R20 for 4) too which is a bonus. Also, if you go, you simply HAVE to try the Cannoli. A pastry tube filled with Ricotta sweet cheese and dusted with icing sugar…its divine!! Its one of the first places I seek out, and I buy at least two every time I go because they sell out quickly!

As well as food, they have stalls selling bric-a-brac, candyfloss, pancakes, corn on the cob, toys for kids, carnival games for prizes, etc. My most favourite place of all though is the Lion’s Club book sale. It is a HUGE tent (though it was smaller than usual last year) filled with books, all sold by the kilo. Last year it was R25 per kg and the guys are so nice there, they dont think twice to give you a magazine or three for free if its in your pile. I’m forever on the lookout for a young-adult series of books, which yes are now below my reading age, I still enjoy. This book sale is pretty much the only time I ever find them, so its like a tradition to go a-huntin’ for these books now.

They also have rides such as The Swings, a very scary cage version of The Boat (which goes all the way around!), Bumper Cars and other such rides. I find these creepy as they moan and groan while in use, and the prices are normally a little too high to be worth riding in my opinion. If you have kids or are younger and love rides, then it’s perfect.

If you’ve never been to the Community Chest Carnival, it’s definately something to try. It happens every year at the end of Feb/beginning of March and this year the dates and prices are:

Wednesday 24 February and Thursday 25 February from 18:00 to 23:00:
Adults (+18) R15.00
Children U6 (toddlers) Free
Family Ticket (Two Adults / Two Persons under 18) R 25.00
Persons under 18 R 5.00
Pensioners R 5.00

Friday 26 February from 17:00 to 24:00 and Saturday 27 February from 12:00 to 23:00:
Adults (+18) R 20.00
Children U6 (toddlers) Free
Family Ticket (Two Adults / Two Persons under 18) R 50.00
Persons under 18 R 15.00
Pensioners R 15.00

It’s at Maynardville in Wynberg. Just follow the cars and get there early if you want parking…it gets veeery crowded!

If you’re going for the books, go on a Wednesday as the books go quickly by Friday. If you’re also not keen on lots of semi-drunk kids, go during the week as well, as although there are bands per age group (you get a certain colour band if you’re over the drinking age limit, and you’re not allowed into drinking areas if you dont have that band), some kids still manage to get a little drunk, but its nowhere near what it was like when I was young and they didnt have bands!

Hope to see you there! I can’t wait!

PS: If you’re on Facebook, RSVP to the event and please invite your friends!