For displaced, misplaced, and nostalgic ex-Manhattanites
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Posted by bob bechner
on Friday, August 23rd 2019:
Starting in the mid50's and continuing at least the late 70's, St. Jude Parish on W. 204TH St., Inwood, ran an annual end-of-summer carnival. It started on the Friday evening 10 days before Labor Day, when it ended. There were canvas tents with spinning wheels where one could win prizes varying from stuffed animals, transistor radios, vases, cameras, or even a bottle of whiskey. Kids could ride the Ferris wheel or whip, and festival food ( cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza )abounded. Inside the gym was the Monte Carlo Room, where adults could bet on dice wheels or other games of chance and sip on an ice cold beer. The highlight of the evening was the free drawing for a new car, such as a Ford Falcon, Chrysler Newport or Dodge Dart. This was called the attendance prize and adults who signed up by 9 or 10 pm had to be present for the 11 o'clock drawing , which was usually late and followed a high-wire act on the school roof. On the final night, they pulled the winning ticket for a new Cadillac. These tickets sold for 25 cents each or 5 for a dollar, and were sold throughout the summer as the Caddy stationed itself on W.207th St., Dyckman St., Fordham Rd. or W. 181st. St. The bazaar helped support our grammar school, and ultimately financed the building of our church. What do you remember?
Reference ID: MN3288
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