Tom Fedor/The Gazette (From left) Jacob Abraham, 9, Matthew Best, 8, his sister Morgan, 6, and cousin Ryan Noll, 3, all of Germantown, spin about in the Scrambler ride at the Urbana Volunteer Fire Company's Community Carnival on Monday evening.

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Tom Fedor/The Gazette Linda McElfresh of Mount Airy and granddaughter Abigail McElfresh, 3, of Damascus,get excited as a turtle chooses one of their slots during a game at the Urbana Volunteer Fire Company's Community Carnival on Monday evening.
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Tom Fedor/The Gazette Jimmy Kmetz, 7, of Silver Spring attempts the ladder climb game at the Urbana Volunteer Fire Company's Community Carnival on Monday evening.
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Tom Fedor/The Gazette Jimmy Kmetz, 7, of Silver Spring attempts the ladder climb game at the Urbana Volunteer Fire Company's Community Carnival on Monday evening.
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Tom Fedor/The Gazette (From left) Jacob Abraham, 9, Matthew Best, 8, his sister Morgan, 6, and cousin Ryan Noll, 3, all of Germantown, spin about in the Scrambler ride at the Urbana Volunteer Fire Company's Community Carnival on Monday evening.

Tom Fedor/The Gazette (From left) Jacob Abraham, 9, Matthew Best, 8, his sister Morgan, 6, and cousin Ryan Noll, 3, all of Germantown, spin about in the Scrambler ride at the Urbana Volunteer Fire Company's Community Carnival on Monday evening.

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It was a typical moment at the Urbana Volunteer Fire Department's Annual Community Carnival on Monday night, as a crowd of people sat on lawn chairs in the muggy evening air, munching on Urbana fries and fried chicken and listening to a returning carnival favorite, The Hubcaps, perform the musical hits of yore.

This year marks the 37th Annual Community Carnival, which Chief Jim May said is named such because so many members of the surrounding area's churches and organizations help the fire department run it.

"More than 50 percent of helpers aren't members [of the department]," he said. "We couldn't put this carnival on without them."

May said many of the carnival's 100-plus volunteers have a long week ahead of them. Some come to the grounds to prepare at 8:30 a.m., stay until noon and are back by 4 p.m., he said.

As the person in charge of one of the outdoor kitchens, May noted that Urbana fries — hand cut French fries made and fried on site — are one of the most popular menu items. About three tons of potatoes are used during the course of carnival week, he said.

People also come out in droves for the carnival's live music, which is played each night.

"The 50s and 60s type bands are very popular," May said. "People who like that seem to be our most loyal customers."

Other attractions for visitors are the car show, which was held on Sunday, the "pay one price" ride nights and the fireworks display, which is scheduled for Friday.

"Fridays have been a little off for us the past few years so we decided to move the fireworks to then," May said.

Last year the carnival did not include a fireworks display because the fire company could not find a sponsor for it, according to John Knill, a department board of directors member. This year’s sponsor wishes to remain unknown.

Former company president Doug Smith hopes the carnival will attract large crowds despite the fact that temperatures could top 100 degrees on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

May said the carnival usually gets high attendance numbers despite being held in the middle of one of the hottest months. The Villages of Urbana have brought a lot of new people to the area in the past few years and since the location is close to Montgomery County and can be seen from Interstate 270, a lot of people from outside the immediate area patronize the event, too, he said.

May guessed that the carnival brings in about $85,000 each year. And while "it isn't even 50 percent profit," Smith said, the carnival is the company’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

cpomeroy@gazette.net

If you go

Urbana Volunteer Fire Department Annual Community Carnival

- Each evening through Saturday

- 3602 Urbana Pike, Urbana

- Buffet dinners served beginning at 5 p.m.; rides open at 7 p.m.

- Pay one price and ride all night Tuesday and Wednesday

- Musical performances at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. through Thursday, an additional performance at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday

- Free parking and admission

-Call 301-606-3008 or visit www.urbanavfd.org.