St. Matthew Carnival Starts Tonight

If you're looking for a place to spin wildly around on a swing, fill yourself with fried dough and dance to the tunes from a local band you're in luck, the St. Matthew Parish Carnival starts tonight.

The annual event - it has been a mainstay for at least a decade - opens tonight at 6 on the church grounds at and will run through Saturday night.

A highlight of this year’s event is the Friday night performance of local star Hannah Kelsy. On June 1, Kelsy, a freshman at Tolland High School, will release her first CD and a production company from Los Angeles who worked with Kelsy will be at St. Matthew to set up a special stage and jumbotron for her performance at 8 p.m., according to carnival committee chairwoman Teri Belanger. 

In addition to Kelsy’s show, there are several other locals worthy of attention, including another group of talented Tolland High musicians; dance and chung do kwan previews and coffee house productions. (For a full list see below.)

And of course there is the food. Expect to indulge in a variety of cookout inspired creations, nachos, fried dough and pulled pork sandwiches. The standard chili, French fries and ice cream will also be available, in addition to soda, juice and water.

Although the family-friendly carnival marks the beginning of the summer season, it is also a significant fundraiser for the church. The committee collects nearly all the profit from the event (it keeps 25 percent from the sales of the carnival rides and games) and uses the money to purchase items for the parish that is not otherwise budgeted.

In the recent past, the funds have helped buy new signs for the parking lot, a defibrillator for the church and an outdoor shed, Belanger said. For more information about St. Matthew or the event click here.

For specifics on the nightly entertainment at the carnival, which will run Thursday - Saturday from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., see below:

Thursday:

• CoffeeHouse Performances

Friday:

• Tolland Chung Do Kwan
• Dance Express
• Special Performances by Hannah Kelsy

Saturday:

• Taking This Oasis
• Memorare (Catholic Rock Band)