Lions Club Carnival returns next week

The annual Lions Club of Graham Carnival returns to the downtown square next weekend. The 48th annual event takes place nightly from May 11-14, with the proceeds benefiting many charitable causes supported by the Lions Club.

The Lions Club Carnival was first put together by Ray Herring and has been running in Graham since 1974. The first carnival took place when high winds came through and knocked down the light standards at Graham High School’s Newton Field. The carnival was a way for the club to fund the construction of various projects including lights and a new all-weather track in the restoration of the field. The carnival returned last year following the cancellation of the 2020 event and raised over $60,000.

Funds raised at the carnival go toward causes including the PK Relays, SPOT eye screenings for over 6,000 children in 22 school districts, eye exams and purchasing of eyeglasses for 18 locals, the Texas Lion’s Camp for Disabled Children, leader dogs for the blind, the honors banquet for Graham High School seniors, Straight Street after school program, scholarships for Graham High School seniors, Graham Regional Medical Center’s Health Fair, Virginia’s House, Graham Backpack Buddies, Remembering Wyatt Dale Water Safety and other programs.

For the full story, see the Wednesday, May 4 edition of The Graham Leader.