Hey, moms, come on and take a free ride

Carnivals are usually all about the rides - the higher, the faster, the better.

For the 22nd annual Retired and Senior Volunteer Program's Spring Fun Fair, it's all about moms - at least on May 13. The carnival will give free rides to moms on Mother's Day.

The fair runs from May 10-13 at Mills Park. The midway will be set up with carnival rides, food, arts and crafts vendors, and for the skillfully crafted, games of chance.

In addition to the food, crafts and novelties of all kinds, a new attraction is "Just Stuff It," where kids can stuff their own favorite animal from a wide array of fabric animals.

Hours of the carnival are 4-11 p.m. Thursday and Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Special all-day ride passes will be available each day for $25. If you go online to www.funNbiz.com, there is a $10-off coupon making the all-day ride pass just $15.

Mike Hughes, marketing and development director with RSVP, said they will have "a bunch more stuff they haven't had in a long time" at the carnival.

"We had to turn away vendors this year," Hughes said. "We're full.

"We have candle makers, home decor, jewelry for moms, hats - all kinds of hats, and novelties for the kids. And, of course, food."

Hughes said with the excellent weather last year, they had more than 1,000 moms take advantage of the free rides.

"The temperatures were about 80 degrees. It was really nice."

The rides are really the big attraction at the carnival. Hughes said the Zipper, Super Tilt-a-Whirl and the Sea Ray Pirate Ship are big draws.

"I don't go on any of them anymore," he chuckled. "I'm too old. I get queasy just watching them."

Hughes said members of Silver Hills Community Church in Carson City meet carnival crews Tuesday evening as they begin carnival set up and feed them.

"They bring in the grills and do put out a spread," Hughes said. "The carnival crews really look forward to it. It's probably the best meal those folks have had in a long time."

For information, call 687-4680, ext. 4.

• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.