City will host carnival during holiday weekend

Walled Lake residents may want to stay put this Memorial Day weekend, when a carnival will be coming to town.

The event, hosted by the Walled Lake Downtown Development Authority (DDA), will kick off Friday, May 27 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Hours for Saturday and Sunday, May 28-29, run from noon to 11 p.m. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, hours are scheduled between noon and 8 p.m.

The carnival will be set up at the Maple Commons parking lot at the corner of Pontiac Trail and Maple Road. It promises to be a family-friendly event with rides, 12 games, and five concession stands available to attendees.

“We’re still working out the details on how many and which rides,” said DDA Executive Director Charlene Long.

The carnival vendor is Michigan-based Wade Shows, Inc. The DDA is expected to glean a percentage of the proceeds.

In conjunction with the carnival that weekend, the DDA will be hosting its Third Annual Bill Compton Support Our Troops 5K Run on Sunday, May 29 at 9 a.m. as a precursor to the city’s Memorial Day Parade the following day.

“We named it after Bill Compton, a very active member in the community and a WWII vet who passed away last year,” said Ed Marshall, the event chairman.

Participants will run a scenic route along the lakefront beginning at East Walled Lake Drive and Ferland. For those who prefer walking, the DDA has set up a course along the lakefront, but commencing in a separate location.

The event drew in over 100 participants last year.

“It’s getting bigger and better every year,” Marshall said. “We changed it from October to Memorial Day weekend to add a military flavor to it and incorporate it into the Memorial Day festivities.”

The run fees are $20 per person, which includes a T-shirt for non-veterans, and $10 for veterans.

The DDA is continuing to solicit sponsors for the event. Each sponsor, depending on the contribution, will get their logo printed on the T-shirt or on the event’s web site. Interested parties should contact the DDA office at 248-926-9004.

The DDA raised $5,000 at last year’s event, and split it between two charity beneficiaries: Operation Hug a Hero and The Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund. Preregistration is encouraged. Visit the DDA web site at downtownwalledlake.org for more information.