Glee, excitement and dancing occur regularly at the Community Center and Mill Valley Middle School, but rarely moreso than a fateful four-day stretch in late May, when the annual four-day Kiddo! Family Carnival takes over those grounds for a Memorial Day weekend celebration like no other.

The Carnival begins Friday, May 24 at 4pm and wraps up at 5 p.m. Monday, May 27. Sacramento-based California Carnival Company is serving up more than 15 rides, from the Berry-Go-Round and Tune Train for little ones to the Sizzler, Zipper, the Century Wheel and Typhoon – as well as the red Baron Berry-Go-Round and the Tune Train for younger children. 

After an eight-year hiatus, the Carnival was revived in 2012 as part of the 30th anniversary party for Kiddo. The event has become the centerpiece of Memorial Day weekend.

Advance discounted $25 tickets are available (check or cash only ) in the Kiddo! office at the Mill Valley School District from May 20-23 8:30am-3:30pm and Friday May 25 from 8:30am until 1pm. Advance tickets may be turned in at the Carnival for a ticket book or for a one day wrist band for unlimited rides. Tickets are $35 once the carnival begins, and books are $30. Food and games are extra. A part of the proceeds from ticket sales benefit Kiddo! and the programs it funds for Mill Valley’s K-8 public schools. Sales will also be held at the Mill Valley Community Center on Thursday, May 23 from 3pm-6pm, and Friday, May 24 from 2pm to 3:30pm.
 
Carnival hours will be Friday, May 24, 4 pm to 10 pm; Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, noon to 10pm; and Monday, May 27, noon to 5pm.

On the fourth and final day of the Carnival after the conclusion of the annual Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade, the Community Celebration features food from a host of local vendors and, as in year’s past, a Concert on the Green will keep attendees dancing throughout the afternoon on Friends Field via a collaboration from Kiddo!, Mill Valley Recreation, City of Mill Valley, Famous4 Productions, and ECO Compliance. The concert, set for 12-5pm, features veteran music project Operation Encore, Koolerator with special guest Barry Sless, and San Geronimo.

The 411: The Kiddo! Memorial Day Community Celebration runs from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. The four-day Carnival is Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MORE INFO.
Kiddo is also seeking carnival volunteers to sell tickets, help in the parade, run the lost & found booth and sell adult beverages.

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