Terry Phillips grew up in a small town in central Illinois where she attended summer carnivals, feasting on corn on the cob and riding the tilt-a-whirl.
These days though, instead of riding the tilt-a-whirl, she’s helping run the annual 885 Civic Club Carnival in Antioch, which has been going on for decades, she said. And youngsters, as well as adults have lots more interesting and brightly lit rides to choose from, she said. “The carnival has lots of rides that go around and spin and my stomach won’t let me do that these days,” said Phillips, the club’s secretary. “But I still do love roller coasters.”
She also loves raising money for the Antioch-based club at the annual carnival, scheduled Friday through Sunday. Proceeds help pay for annual scholarships for high school students in Antioch and Lake Villa, plus donations to the Open Arms Food Pantry, PADS and other charities, she said. “We also pay youth groups to help out with security during the carnival.”
An old-fashioned carnival fits the essence of what Antioch’s all about, Phillips said. “Antioch is a small town. A carnival is a place where you can go to see your neighbors and friends. It’s a great activity for families to do with kids.”
Traditional carnival fare will include hot dogs, cotton candy, lemonade, popcorn, funnel cakes, caramel apples, soft pretzels, corn dogs and elephant ears and rides for the youngsters, such as the spinning tea cups and kid-sized roller coasters, as well as some rides for all ages. “We’ve been using the same company — Windy City Amusements — to run the carnival since we started,” Phillips said.
The old-fashioned tilt-a-whirls have taken a back seat to new rides with light displays, according to Tony Salerno Jr., Windy City Amusements president. “A lot of our rides now have fancy lights.” For example, the Century Wheel has an LED light show, he said. And a new ride this year, the Sky Rider, is an 80-foot-tall swing ride with LED lights, and it’s suitable for all ages, he said.
The Zipper will be back at the Antioch carnival because it’s popular with teens, he said. “They love it. They love to go up and down and around. I don’t know why. I tried it once and once was enough. We’ll bring the Predator again, too. All the kids know what the Predator is.” Patrons can also try out the new Orient Express roller coaster ride, which is great for all ages, he said.
Windy City Amusements also continues its priority to provide rides for the youngest attendees, he said. These include the Carousel and Tea Cups, as well as the most popular, the Dragon Wagon, a kid-sized roller coaster.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
Antioch 885 Civic Club Annual Carnival
When: Friday through Sunday
Where: Downtown Antioch, Toft Avenue and Route 83
Tickets: Ride armbands are $20 in advance; $25 at gate
Information: 630-443-4547; www.windycityamusements.com
