THINK OF SUMMER as firemen's carnival season. Less than two weeks after the annual Riviera Beach volunteers' carnival wrapped up, Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company is preparing for its run next week.
The annual carnival will be open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday on the firehouse grounds, at Ritchie Highway and Earleigh Heights Road.
Chuck Mohr, fire company president, said the carnival is a major fund-raiser and requires a substantial commitment of effort from its volunteers. "All of our volunteers, including our Ladies Auxiliary, are busy getting ready to make this year's carnival a big success," he said.
The carnival will feature more than 25 rides, along with midway games, a 50-50 raffle and plenty of food for sale.
For thirsty adults, the firemen will also have an old-fashioned beer garden area. "We are one of the last carnivals that have a beer garden," Mohr said.
The carnival will again feature ride-all-night evenings Monday through Thursday, with the purchase of a $14 bracelet providing unlimited use of rides for the night. Coupons offering a $2 discount on the deal are available from area merchants and at the firehouse.
Stop by next week and bring the family. Proceeds support the fire company, whose services benefit the neighboring Pasadena, Earleigh Heights and Severna Park communities. Information: 410-647-3119.
Visit the fishing folks
The Pasadena Sportfishing Group will not be meeting this month, but you can meet some of the members, who will be staffing a booth for the group at the Earleigh Heights carnival and offering information.
"Stop by and say hello," said George Bentz, group president.
The information will include details on the group's Aug. 12 children's fishing derby at Downs Park. "Our members have a great time working with the kids and their parents at these events," Bentz said.
Parents interested in the fishing derby can pick up registration information at the park.
Information: 410-HEY-FISH (439-3479).
Religion class registration
St. Jane Frances Roman Catholic Church in Riviera Beach is accepting registration for new and returning students for religious education classes in the 2000-2001 school year. The church is at 8499 Virginia Ave.
Classes for students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade and children in the Rite of Christian Initiation class will be held Sundays from 10:20 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.
There will also be classes for students in grades two through eight from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.
A few spaces remain for the fourth- and second-grade groups.
Information: 410-437-4727.