By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
The Okarche Knights Carnival at Holy Trinity Catholic Church has been canceled this year due to COVID-19, organizers said.
The event had been planned for Saturday, July 25, but a decision to call it off was made Tuesday.
The Okarche Knights of Columbus #3220 annual carnival has been taking place at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 211 Missouri Ave. , since 1949. This will be the first year the Knights will miss a carnival since the first one.
Jeremy Schwarz, Grand Knight, said Knights discussed the carnival back in April and decided they would have it this year despite the coronavirus. But then concerns with the virus became too great.
“We decided back in April we were going to do it as a get together for the whole community,” Schwarz said.
That changed at a meeting Tuesday night.
“We had a meeting Tuesday night and voted on it. Too many people were concerned with COVID-19,” Schwarz said.
Another factor is the economic downturn and job losses, he said.
Schwarz said since people have been laid off during the pandemic, there are concerns people do not have the money to spend at the carnival. Another fundraiser may be planned in the coming months, but the carnival will not return until 2021,” Schwarz said.
The annual carnival that takes place after Mass at the church features burgers, sausage, hot dogs and cold beverages .
Schwarz said all food servers were planning to wear masks but due to COVID-19, there were not going to be any inflatables for children to play on this year.
The annual carnival draws between 300 and 500 people.
The carnival also has included a hay ride.
The carnival raises funds for Holy Trinity Catholic School and the Okarche Center of Family Love.
