Knights of Columbus Chapter 14392 is holding a carnival at Country Junction, Rt. 209, Lehighton from Monday, June 6 to Saturday, June 11. The festival will open Monday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday, from 4 to 11 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. There will be rides by Bartle Baugh, food vendors and games. Anyone planning to attend should check Country Junction's website to see if the festival opening time may change to open at 2 p.m. on weekdays.

Knights of Columbus hopes to use the proceeds from the event to purchase a facility in the Poconos area where children whose parents work in New York City could stay and be safe during snow emergencies."Many children stay home alone while their parents are working," said Grand Knight Frank Manole. "Our facility would have basketball court, a place for children to watch television or do their homework and they would be supervised."Manole said several members are already certified to work with children.Manole added that the facility they plan to purchase would also be used for other fundraising events, such as fundraising breakfast, dinners and dances. The funds raised at these events would be used to help assist other local charities, such as the Burnley Center, which gives mentally challenged adults a job they can be proud of, plus other organizations to help people who can't do for themselves. The building would also be available for support group meetings and other organizations to use.Manole said the local chapter of Knights of Columbus formed a few years ago and have worked hard together to help others in need.Appropriate vendors interested in having a booth at the festival should call 570-722-2458 or cell 570-872-3150 or write to Knights of Columbus at P.O. Box 2257, Albrightsville, 18210.Bob Salerno, a member of the Knights, is also seeking a fire company to assist with parking or to conduct a boot drop during the event to funds for their organization.Manole said that the organization is seeking an appropriate facility that large enough for their purpose. He noted that Knights of Columbus has a long and historic background of helping people, such as helping victims of Haiti, victims of the 911, protecting children by helping enact child labor laws, minimum wage laws and helping women to vote, plus initiated the HUD program for homecoming soldiers."We're already a non profit, but we've recently applied for a non profit 501(c) 3 status," said Manole. "We hope to accomplish our goal of buying a building through holding this carnival."Manole said that Country Junction believes in their mission wholeheartedly and have donated the use of the grounds to hold the festival.