Area Girl Scouts hosting ?Troop-A-Palooza? carnival

CEDAR FALLS ? The Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois will host an afternoon family-centered carnival called ?Troop-A-Palooza? from 1-5 p.m. April 17 at the Cedar Falls High School gymnasium.

The carnival will feature various minute-to-win-it games, food, face painting, a silent auction, bouncy inflatables and a kiss-the-pig contest. Chances for children to win prizes donated by Cedar Valley businesses will be available. ?Hello Kitty? and ?Seymour the Dinosaur? also will make special appearances.

Admission will be available at the door for $5; wristband deals will cost $20, which will include unlimited game play. Admission in advance will be sold for a ?buy one, get one half off? deal. The ticket booth will include the purchase of seven tickets for $5. Any purchase to enter the carnival will come with a free meal.

?An event like this is wholesome fun for the entire family,? said Joanne Wzontek, regional director of the Waterloo Area Leadership Center. ?It provides an afternoon of games, food and activities that families with children of all ages can enjoy, and it benefits a worthwhile cause in the process, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.?

The event will promote the Girl Scouts? goal of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

?This is just one example of a series of year-round activities where Girl Scouts build girls of ?courage, confidence and character? who make the world a better place,? added Wzontek.

All proceeds will go toward the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Dr. Gayle Pohl, associate professor of communication studies at University of Northern Iowa, and her public relations campaign methods class are responsible for the planning, fundraising and execution of the event.

For information or to purchase admission in advance, contact Joanne Wzontek at (319) 232-6601, ext. 516, or Natasha Assenmacher at (563) 219-1902.