Families flock to annual CumberlandFest Fun for everyone
CUMBERLAND — The sights of children having a joyous time on carnival rides, the sounds of laughter, and the smell of fried food filled the air at Diamond Hill Park on Saturday, as the second day of the 27th annual CumberlandFest played host to countless families from around the area who converged on the park to continue longstanding traditions.
Cumberland resident Lori Chaves and her grandson Daniel DiPietro were among the first handful of patrons at the park on Saturday just after the celebration opened to the public at noon. Nineyear-old Daniel said that he has been coming to the annual latesummer party “ever since I could go on the rides.”
Alifelong Cumberland resident, Chaves said that she's been bringing her grandson to CumberlandFest every year, knowing that they'll always have a great time.
“I come for him. I don't do the high or spinning rides,” Chaves said with a laugh, before her grandson quickly interjected that even on the more easy-going carnival rides, “she still screams!”
“It's a staple, we come every year. I make sure we come by,” Chaves added. “There's good food for lunch, nice vendors, it's a nice family day.”
Daniel, meanwhile, was ready to hop on his first ride of the day – The Scrambler, in which riders are suspended in the air and swung around in a circle via centrifugal force. A bit of a daredevil, Daniel said he finds enjoyment in the ride's speed while swinging around freely. After that, Daniel said he'd participate in a variety of the games, including basketball, hoping to leave the park with a prize.
One of the largest family entertainment draws in northern Rhode Island, CumberlandFest is an all-volunteer organization that raises funds for athletics programs in town. Many of the volunteer committee members have been there since the start of the festival back in 1991.
All profits after expenses made at CumberlandFest go back into the community to support youth sports programs and over the past 28 years, the festival has raised more than a million dollars for Cumberland's youth sports groups.
The connection to local athletics is what brought the Christopherson family of Cumberland – Michael, Merimee, 10-year-old Brannon, and 4-year-old Kaylee – to the festival on Saturday.
With their son Brannon, a lacrosse player, Michael said that they appreciate knowing that their dollars spent at the celebration will go toward something positive, namely helping to fund youth sports groups.
“We like to get together with the famiy, see our neighbors and friends,” Michael said.
CumberlandFest continues today from noon to 10 p.m. General admission is $5 and free for children five and under and military personnel with ID. Midway and carnival ride hours are 1-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. Pay-one-price wrist bands are $25. The CumberlandFest Classic Car Show will be held today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the park, all cars must arrive by noon. The popular fireworks display also starts tonight at 9 p.m.