I can think of very few things that are more quintessentially “small town Southern” than a good ol’ CARNIVAL.  

I’m not saying I’m expert on such things, but the two years I spent living in Springfield are the closest I’ve come to living in the city. South Central Kentucky is the farthest north I’ve called home, so I at least have some experience.  

The cotton candy, the teddy bears you know you can’t win (but you’re gonna try anyway), THAT LEMONADE, the rides that somehow can also be driven down the interstate, the people watching, the funnel cakes … these are core memories just waiting to be created, y’all.  

Lucky for us, we don’t have to wait much longer to get in on the fun. The Proampac Carnival will be running nightly at the W.L. Anderson Sports Complex in White House from July3-6, capped off by the Annual Americana Celebration from 4 p.m. to Midnight on the 6th!

Listen, if you’ve never been, let me tell you, White House does this thing right. We are so darn lucky, Ms. Mabel would probably tell us to write a thank you card to the City and White House Area Chamber of Commerce for decades of hosting. 

This year's event will boast 20 different food vendors and musical performances by Mattie Taylor, Greenwood Rye, and The Spazmatics. Plus, a bunch of free kids activities that are so fun you won’t want to tell them y’all are going until it's time to walkout the door. Because if you do tell, they’ll ask you 10 million times, “How much longer?” 

The night will end with a killer fireworks display to celebrate our freedom with all the big booms. It’s a seriously great show! And I’m not just saying that because I’m being paid to hype this thing up. Really, it’s legit awesome! 

This year will be slightly different, with no onsite regular parking available. Free, air conditioned (woo-hoo!) shuttles will run from White House Middle School, The Billy S. Hobbs Community Center (White House City Hall), and The Church at Grace Park. Limited handicapped spaces will be available at W.L. Anderson Sports Complex. 

In case you can’t tell, I’m excited. Like I said, carnivals in the South are a BIG deal, and White House has figured it out for sure. I’ll see y’all there! 

P.S. Here’s all the important Information about the Americana Celebration in case your ADHD took over and you didn’t take in anything I wrote:

* Date: Saturday, July 6

* Location: W.L. Anderson Sports Complex, 2760 Highway 31W, White House

* Time: Fun begins at 4 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m. (but don’t tell your kids until just before time to leave hahaha). 

* What to Bring: Lawn chairs and blankets to comfortably enjoy all the festivities