Where Would You Put the Fourth of July Carnival?

The answer to one question begot another.

Last week, Patch posted a story explaining how the Lexington Lions Club and Department of Public Works coordinate on repairs needed at Hastings Park following the annual Fourth of July Carnival. And that answer has given rise to new questions – questions posed, among other places, on the “Lexington List,” where the Patch article was cut and pasted late last week.

The most basic of the questions: Where do you think the carnival should be held?

Hastings Park—you know, that triangular swath of land with the gazebo at the corner of Mass Ave and Worthen Road—has been home to the carnival for the past two years. Previously, the Ferris wheel, fun house and other attractions typically occupied field grassy areas across Worthen, before fields work sent them across the street.

An abundance of rain leading up to the Fourth of July Carnival and the dry spell in its wake have left Hastings Park looking a little worse for the wear this year. But the folks caring for the fields are confident the grounds will bounce back.

While the carnival “kicks-off” the summer, Hastings Park is also the venue for a couple summer concert series and picnics, and is a popular place for passive recreation.

That the carnival has left areas of dead grass and potential mud puddles has led to some questioning whether the park is the best place for the Fourth of July festivities. What hasn’t been questioned is that the Lions Club holds the annual carnival as its foremost fundraiser of the year, donating proceeds to charities it supports.

Among the commentators’ informal proposals for carnival placement include where it’s been, parking lots and fields with artificial surfaces. There have been pros and cons to each.  

With that in mind, we want to know, If you had your ‘druthers, where would you put Lexington’s Fourth of July Carnival?