Meet Me at the Court to hold fifth annual Carnival of Love
The fifth annual Sharion Bailey Whitlock Carnival of Love is set for 2 p.m. Oct. 6 and organizers said there will be plenty of activities for the entire family.
The event — which will be held in the area of Columbia and Lester behind Arby’s restaurant — will also pay tribute to late El Dorado City Council Member Tony Henry.
Presented by Meet Me at the Court and The Bailey Family, the annual carnival features food, games and activities for children and adults — all free to the public.
Organizer Veronica Bailey said the carnival began as a way to honor the memory her late sister, Whitlock, who inspired the idea for Meet Me at the Court.
Shortly after Whitlock’s death in 2012 at the age of 51, Bailey said her sister appeared to her in a dream and urged her to “take care of the children.”
Meet Me at the Court was born soon thereafter, serving as an outlet for youth in the St. Louis neighborhood to gather on the basketball court just west of Columbia and discuss “whatever was on their minds.”
MMC has since grown into an organization that hosts a number family-friendly events each year and promotes community service.
Bailey said Henry also emphasized — and demonstrated — the importance of service to others, and organizers thought the Carnival of Love would be a prime opportunity to celebrate his life and legacy.
Henry, 58, died Sept. 1. He had been experiencing health problems in recent years.
He worked alongside Council Member Willie McGhee to represent Ward 3. Bailey said McGhee will lead the tribute to Henry at the start of the carnival on Oct. 6.
“(Meet Me at the Court member) Carmelo Brown will perform the National Anthem, and then we’ll turn it over to Alderman Willie McGhee, who will do the opening in memory of Tony Henry,” Bailey said.
A balloon release will follow.
Bailey reiterated that another purpose for launching the carnival was to complement other fall events that take place in El Dorado and to offer a free alternative to families with children who may not be able to afford the other events, including MusicFest and the Union County Fair.
The carnival will include a bounce house, motorcycle and horseback rides, a three-point shootout, electronic basketball, bingo, face-painting and a DJ.
This year, Bailey said there will be age-specific games for younger children, including toddlers.
“It’s a family affair, and we want everyone to come out and have a good time,” she said.
Fire Chief Chad Mosby and a team of cooks will prepare a meal of barbecued meats, including pulled pork, and sides.
Carnival organizers are also partnering with the South Arkansas Stop the Violence Coalition, who will provide traditional carnival fare: cotton candy, snow cones and popcorn balls.
For more information, call Bailey at 870-310-0391, Theodore Bailey at 870-814-6396, James Curley at 870310-0745, Brenda Stanley at 870-881-5191 or McGhee at 870-314-1441.