Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester College is celebrating May Day in style with carnival rides, student competitions, food and many other activities this weekend at Mayfest.
"Cinderella Waltz," the spring play, kicked off the weekend Thursday and continues at 8 p.m. today and Saturday. This adult fairy tale offers a twisted look at the story many remember from their youth.
Admission is $5.50 for adults and $4.50 for students and senior citizens.
Comedian Marty Putz will perform his original brand of humor at 9 p.m. today in the Manchester College Physical Education and Recreation Center (PERC). Putz introduces his audiences to his unusual inventions and involves them in wacky activities such as "human baseball."
Admission is $2 for non-MC students.
The real marathon of events begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday with a three-mile cross country run beginning at the PERC. MC student Kim Reinoehl designed the course.
A tricycle race begins at 10:30 a.m. between Garver and East halls. Teams have already signed up for the competition, which consists of an obstacle course with several stations.
The stations include finding a necklace in a pool of Jell-o and wearing it throughout the race, eating a banana as fast as possible and wearing the peel on a team member's head for the remainder of the race.
Teams who show up in costume are judged for originality and can win prizes as well.
A carnival with rides, games and food will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 11 p.m. The Burton Brothers' Amusement Carnival includes a ferris wheel, a carousel, The Scrambler and Himalaya. Children's rides such as a miniature roller coaster, cars and a fun house are also included in the carnival.
Tickets are needed to participate in the carnival rides. Tickets will be sold for 60 cents each, with children's rides costing two tickets and adult rides costing three tickets.
At 1 p.m. a bed race will take place on East Street near the Student Union. Five-member teams will compete in a timed competition for prizes. Each team will have 10 minutes to decorate its bed before running the race. One person will ride on the bed while four others will push from each bedpost.
From 4 to 11 p.m. live entertainment including bands and talent acts will perform on the Union east lawn.
A picnic will be held on the Lower Union Patio from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The menu wll include grilled chicken and steaks, a vegetarian option, cotton candy, caramel apples and elephant ears.
The cost for adults is $6 and children, $3. There is no cost for students on the food plan. Everyone is invited to bring blankets and lawnchairs to the east side of the PERC at 10:30 p.m. to enjoy a 20-minute fireworks display.
The excitement of Mayfest continues at noon Sunday when 16 two-student teams will compete in a canoe race.
The race begins in Liberty Mills and will end near the football field. At 2 p.m., a trial and bike race will begin at the PERC. The race route is on and off campus, and was designed by MC student Brad Aquino.
The May Festival will wrap up with an awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m. in the lower union.
