The word "carnival" conjures up thoughts of rides, games and food, and a place for community residents to mix and mingle.

The PTO at Elizabethtown's Mill Road Elementary School has taken the "car" in "carnival" and created an event featuring just that: cars and, this year, motorcycles.

The second annual "CAR"nival fundraiser will take place Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Fairgrounds, 900 E. High St., Elizabethtown.

The event will include typical carnival fare: inflatable rides for kids; games such as a ring toss, tic-tac-toe, and the chance to win goldfish; face painting; a deejay spinning tunes; and food for sale, including chicken barbecue dinners that can be pre-ordered.

But the main attraction will be rows of gleaming vehicles shown off by their proud owners — that is, if the weather cooperates to entice motor heads to roll out their metallic "babies."

Last year's first-time event, also held the last weekend in March, drew more than 75 cars, exceeding expectations.

"I was very surprised," says Pete Reighard, a car enthusiast who suggested the car idea at a PTO meeting. "I did not expect the amount (of cars) we had. I was thrilled."

With only fliers and word-of-mouth promotion, the car show drew a wide variety, from a Ford roadster from the early 1900s to classic Chevelles and Corvettes to newer models.

Two prizes were awarded: to Russ Schweers for his 1963 Corvette and to Mike Flynn for his 1969 Chevelle.

This year's car show is again open to all vehicles, including the two-wheeled variety. The entry fee is $8 to pre-register and $10 on the day of the show.

For car and motorcycle enthusiasts who might want to exhibit their wheels, the only "requirements" to keep in mind, says Reighard, are: "Do you really like your vehicle? Do you really want to put it on display? Are you willing to talk about it?"

For more than two years, the PTO had been holding various fundraisers —golf tournaments, candy sales — to raise money for new playground equipment, according to PTO secretary Lisa Williams, who also heads fundraising and the "CAR"nival.

The group was looking for something new to try, and the idea of combining cars with family fun seemed like a good one. They were right: More than 500 people turned out on a nice spring day to check out the cars and other goings-on.

"We were amazed at the turnout last year," says Williams. "We just kept smiling and grinning."

Smiling, as it turns out, all the way to the bank. The event brought in more than $6,000, allowing the PTO to purchase a playground piece that cost about $25,000, according to Williams.

"It's pretty much a big rock. It's a big rock sitting in the middle of our playground," says Williams.

The simulated two-boulder piece, about 7 feet high, has ledges and crevices for climbing and a walk-through area.

"The kids love it. There's always a ton of kids trying to play on it," Williams adds.

Because of last year's success, PTO members decided to try a "CAR"nival again this year, with the possibility of it becoming an annual event to raise money for such school activities as field trips, assemblies and classroom activities.

"When people want it and people volunteer to do it, it's hard to say no," says Williams.

Like last year, there will be a Chinese auction of baskets put together with items donated by Mill Road students; basket themes include car care, gardening, baby, cooking and chocolate.

Chicken barbecue dinners cost $7 and can be preordered or bought at the fairgrounds as long as they are available.

For dinner tickets or to pre-register vehicles, call 361-7424.

IF YOU GO

What: "CAR"nival fundraiser
Where: Elizabethtown Fairgrounds, 900 E. High St.
Sponsor: PTO of Mill Road Elementary School, Elizabethtown
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.