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For the first time ever, the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Family Carnival at Central Park included a magic show Friday night, and the magician drew a sizeable crowd.
Rusty Ammerman said in 1984 he was a sophomore in high school and he had been working some entertainment and came across the notion that he could do magic and shows by himself, be funny and interactive with the audience.
There’s different kinds of magic, from David Copperfield’s illusions to the manipulation type of magic one might see in Las Vegas.
“I am a comedy magician, so a lot of audience interaction, kind of Mac King or maybe Harry Anderson, who used to be the judge on ‘Night Court,’” Ammerman said. “That kind of magic. I try to get the audience to do as much work as possible.”
Typically, his acts are 45 to 60 minutes. For Friday’s Family Carnival, he did two 30-minute sets. Not only were the seats full, but there were many people standing and watching and laughing.
For more on him, visit his website at www.MagicManRusty.com.
Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer said the purpose of the Family Carnival was for people to “come out in the community, enjoy something that’s very low cost and have a lot of fun. We just want families to come out year after year and have fun with us.”
Besides the magician, Schaefer said there were seven inflatables, the giant hamster balls, preschool games and more. Radio stations Willie 107.3 and WRSW were on hand, and there were many volunteers from different places in town.
“I’m guessing about 30 volunteers here in the park tonight, which is a first. So, just a lot of people joining us. Right now we’re standing in the lot that Via Credit Union is working,” Schaefer said.
Tracy Speigle, Via Credit Union branch manager, said this was the seventh year for Via sponsoring the carnival. Every year, they work at whatever booth Schaefer puts them, from bouncy houses, the duck pond, bicycle races to face painting.
“Wherever she puts us, wherever she needs us, we volunteer every year to do this,” she said. “It’s great to be out in the community. We enjoy being out with the people, and we set our tent up and just volunteer and mingle.”
Sponsors Lifewise Academy and Surf Internet also were on hand, as well as the Warsaw Community Public Library and Growing Kids Learning Center. The parks department’s lifeguards, recreation staff and laborers volunteered as well.
“So just a lot of people,” Schaefer said.
Jordan Holzwart, Surf Internet regional market manager, said Surf wanted to be a part of the Family Carnival because, “We’re always looking for new events to participate in Warsaw and we hooked up with the Parks Department and Stephanie about six months ago and she just thought this would be a great fit for us to get our name out in the community.”
Surf sponsored the magician, as well as had a few people helping out with the inflatables.
All of the proceeds from this year’s Family Carnival go back into the fund for next year’s event. Wristbands were $10, with tickets at 25 cents each.
“So it’s important that people come out and join us for this, too. It offers us the chance to do this year after year,” Schaefer said.
Though it was too early to determine turnout Friday evening, she said in prior years they’ve had a few thousand people. Weather - which was “great” Friday night - and other scheduled events play a factor in that.
Friday’s Family Carnival wasn’t the last event of the summer for the Parks and Recreation Department.
“Actually, next Saturday, Aug. 9, we have our Big Wipeout over at Pike Lake Beach from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” Schaefer said. “That’s kind of like our last hoorah. We’re expecting a big crowd that day. It’s our first time having it on a Saturday, so we’re really excited for it.”
She said they’re excited for that and it is the day after Warsaw Community Schools goes back to school.
“What a way to kind of end the summer. Go to school on that Friday and then come join us at the park on Saturday,” she stated, adding that all ages come out for the Big Wipeout.
