Kevin Clifford/Nevada Appeal Maggie Panelli, 4, of Sparks, reacts after blowing a bubble at the bubble mania station during the Kids Karnival at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada in Carson City on Saturday. The fifth annual fundraiser for the Children's Museum featured many activities including a dinosaur dig, a cake walk and miniature golf.
Amy LaLonde was in the throws of a dilemma. With her hair resembling a rainbow, Amy couldn't decide between the face-painting booth or getting her nails painted.
At that point, all the 7-year-old was certain about was that she wasn't leaving the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada's Kids Karnival for a while.
The annual fundraiser took over two blocks surrounding the museum in Carson City on Saturday, offering a plethora of child-friendly activities and games.
"I love the Kids Karnival because it's a fun event that nobody else does," said Penny Holbrook, museum board member. "It's just a really neat event for young kids with the big kids helping run it."
While Amy worked on her decision, 6-year-old Jimmy Motley, of Carson City, was focused on knocking Carson City District Attorney candidate Neil Rombardo off his perch at the dunk tank.
Video from Kid's Karnival:
https://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20060820/VIDEO/60820001
"Ever since he came to the Children's Museum in kindergarten with his class he has loved this place," grandma Linda Tilley said.
On the other side of the carnival, Davis Newbury, 2, seemed apprehensive about a ride on the miniature airplane puttering around the street.
Newbury's mom, Kirsten, said she brought him down because she thought he'd get to have little fun and enjoy himself.
More than 300 children attended the carnival last year, and about the same number was expected Saturday.
"We don't have a set goal for how much we want to raise, but because everything is donated, anything we get is helpful," Holbrook said.
In addition the face-painting corner and the dunk tank, children could build and race a boat, take part in a yo-yo contest, dig up dinosaur bones, win a cake, hit the bounce houses and push a railcar provided by the Nevada State Railroad Museum.
The carnival also featured an abundance of colorful personalities including McGruff the Crime Dog, Smokey Bear, Bobby the Boat and Pluggie.
• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.