From July 2-6, the Lexington Lions Club hosted its annual Fourth of July Carnival, kicking off the festivities with a fireworks display on opening night. A tradition in Lexington since the 1950s, this year marked the event’s 69th celebration.
The carnival rides and stands are provided by Fiesta Shows, a longtime regional partner. Planning begins months in advance. Among those involved in the planning is former Lions President Janet Perry.
“We have a meeting with Fiesta Shows in early June and discuss the dates. We start planning even earlier than that, usually in March and April around Patriots Day,” Perry said.
The collaboration is essential to the carnival’s success, as Fiesta Shows provides everything from the rides and games to the food stands. Among the attractions, the Lions Club also sets up a welcoming tent for community outreach.
“The Lions Club will have a tent again this year, just like we have in recent years,” Perry said. “We’ll be giving out balloons to kids and sharing information about the Lions Club: what we do and how people can get involved. We also hope to recruit some new members.”
With so many moving parts, safety remains a top priority for both Fiesta Shows and the Lions Club. Every year, rides undergo thorough inspection before the gates open to the public.
“The state comes out to inspect the rides and keeps a record of their age, when they were last replaced, and other safety details,” Perry told LexObserver. “They thoroughly check everything for safety, and in all the years we’ve held the event, we haven’t had any incidents with the rides.”
Inclusivity is another central focus. On the first day of the carnival, a dedicated time slot is reserved for guests with special needs before general admission begins.
“We’ve sent out invitations to families with students at Cotting School, the LABBB program for students with special needs, and the Carroll Center for the Blind. They come on the first day from 3 to 5 p.m. before the carnival is open to the public,” Perry said.
Beyond the attractions, the event continues to serve as a touchstone for the community.
“It’s become an event that everyone looks forward to. You run into people you grew up with or knew from a committee you served on,” Perry told LexObserver.
For Lions Club Treasurer Doug Lucente, the carnival also holds deep personal significance: his late father, John Lucente, volunteered at the event for many years.
“My dad first volunteered with the Lions back in 1967. At that time, Lions Club members ran the games, and he jumped right in to help. He never missed a single year. Even in 2024, just months before he passed, he was still there, part of the crew,” Lucente said.
Growing up in that environment, Lucente quickly followed in his father’s footsteps.
“His dedication made a lasting impression on me. I started helping out when I was eight years old, and like him, I’ve been at the carnival every year since. Carrying that torch forward is a way I can stay connected to him and continue the values he passed on,” Lucente said.
While the event has grown over the years by adding fireworks, expanding attractions and drawing larger crowds, Lucente believes that the heart of the celebration remains unchanged.
“The rides are bigger, the crowds are larger, and we’ve added fireworks and new attractions. But the heart of the event remains the same. It’s still about tradition, community and giving back,” Lucente said.
Importantly, the carnival is more than just a festive week—it’s the Lions Club’s largest annual fundraiser.
“The carnival is our biggest fundraiser of the year, allowing the Lions to support vision services, local scholarships and a range of charitable efforts right here in town,” Lucente said.