Ojai School Carnival Means Fun and Funds

Ojai’s public schools hope to raise $10,000 for student athletics and educational programs during their fifth annual carnival this weekend at Nordhoff High School.

The carnival, which begins at 3 p.m. today and continues through Sunday, is presented by Nordhoff and Mira Monte Elementary School in conjunction with Butler Amusements, the largest carnival company in the West.

The three-day event, one of the schools’ largest fund-raisers, generated $10,000 last year. Administrators hope to meet or top that this year.

“It’s been a real nice fund-raiser for us and a fun activity for the community,” said Nordhoff Assistant Principal Jack Smith.

The carnival helps offset the dwindling funds available for athletics and other programs, Smith said.

In past years, funds from the carnival have paid for transportation for the high school’s sports teams. This year, the school intends to put the money toward purchasing two new vans for Nordhoff, Smith said.

Mira Monte Principal Larry Hartmann said money raised at the carnival will be added to the elementary school’s fund-raising pot and will help pay for numerous school needs, including the library, computer lab and bilingual programs.

In addition to the funds generated directly for Mira Monte and Nordhoff, Ojai’s other public schools are able to raise money by selling ticket booklets for the carnival’s 20 rides and by selling food at the event.

The carnival is being held at Nordhoff High, 1401 Maricopa Highway. The hours are 3 to 10:30 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. There is no charge for admission, but ticket booklets cost $10 for eight to 10 rides.