Waseca library water carnival

An estimated 450 children and a few adults had the opportunity to cool off from the summer heat with a water carnival at Trowbridge Park on Thursday, June 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event has been held annually by the Waseca Public Library for the past few years to give families a reason to cool off and enjoy the park. “We wanted to put on an event for the whole family to enjoy,” said librarian Brianna Bleeker.

The carnival’s main attractions were the dunking booth — where children were given three opportunities to dunk volunteers in the tank — and the bouncy castle, which included a slide with a pool of water at the bottom. Crafts and the nearby playgrounds equipment were some of the other activities available. After everyone got the energy out of their system, the library provided hot dog meals for lunch.

“We planned for 450,” Bleeker explained. “Last year, we did the same and we had a few leftover hot dogs. But this year we were hopeful that a few more families would come out.”

The carnival was made possible with grants provided by the city, the state of Minnesota, and other library-related funding opportunities. “We are so thankful for those grants,” Bleeker said. “It allows us to have fun events like this.”