MENDOTA - Kicking off this year’s Sweet Corn Festival, Windy City Amusements of St. Charles will again offer an afternoon of free carnival rides for kids with special needs and their immediate family. Their “Special Afternoon for Special Kids” will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9.

“Windy City Amusements offered this special promotion last year at the Sweet Corn Festival and got a lot of positive feedback from parents, whose children took part and had a great time,” said Mendota Chamber Director, Jesse Arellano, “so we have decided to have the Special Afternoon for Special Kids again at this year’s Sweet Corn Festival.”

The carnival will open early on Thursday, Aug. 9 with access limited only to children with special needs and their family. There will be no cost for them to enjoy the carnival rides. During this time, the midways will be less crowded with no long waiting lines and no need to buy ride tickets. At 5:30 p.m., the carnival will close and reopen again at 6 p.m. for the general public.

Arellano said it does not matter where the family is from, all who wish to participate are welcome. The Chamber asks families to pre-register online at sweetcornfestival.com by clicking the calendar tab, downloading the form and getting it to the Chamber office. They may also stop by the Chamber office and fill out a form. On Aug. 9, families should check in at the registration tent beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Arellano noted that most adult rides will be unavailable during this special time. Additionally, lights will be dimmed and music lowered for those individuals who would otherwise be uncomfortable with those distractions.

“We hope that everyone will take advantage and help spread the word about the Special Afternoon for Special Kids promotion offered by Windy City Amusements at the Sweet Corn Festival this year,” Arellano said.