04/07/17 — Festival for Explorers

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Festival for Explorers

By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on April 7, 2017 9:57 AM

News-Argus/SETH COMBS

A Ferris wheel ride and vendors are set up on North Spence Avenue for the annual Explorer Fun Fest fundraiser. The festival will raise money for the Goldsboro Police Department\'s Law Enforcement Explorer Post 209. The carnival is open today, Saturday and Sunday.

The annual Explorer Fun Fest is now open on Spence Avenue where people of all ages can take in traditional carnival rides, play games and support Wayne County youth.

The festival is a fundraiser for the Goldsboro Police Department's Law Enforcement Explorer Post 209, a program for young men and women interested in a career in law enforcement.

A portion of profits from carnival ticket sales will go to the Explorer program, said GPD Capt. Trey Ball, senior adviser of the Explorer Post.

"We make a pretty decent amount, and most of that will go toward the explorers attending the National Law Enforcement Exploring Conference," Ball said.

Explorers plan to travel to the 2018 conference, which will be held at Purdue University, in Lafayette, Ind.

The carnival opened Wednesday night and will be open every night through Sunday, on a grassy lot between the former Texas Steakhouse restaurant and Burger King. There is no admission fee or parking cost. Visitors are asked to park in the former Texas Steakhouse parking lot.

The carnival will be open tonight from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 1 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m.

A wristband special for unlimited rides will be available and can be used Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m.

"We're just welcoming everybody out and thank everybody for their support in coming out and supporting the explorers," Ball said. "We're helping to prepare youth for the future. We're trying to give them character development, leadership development and teamwork (skills), whether they enter law enforcement or not."

Young men and women aged 14 to 20 can apply to become an Explorer through the website at www.goldsboropoliceexplorers.org. Currently, 18 youth are in the program. Ball can also be reached at 919-580-4273.