Threatening rain clouds didn't keep people away from the opening night of Lancaster Catholic High School's carnival.

"This is the best of the carnivals that come through the area," Ernest Green said. Green, a veteran carnivalgoer, and his son, Brandon, joined hundreds of people who came to the 27th annual event. The carnival will run from 6 to 11 p.m. each night through Saturday.

"We'll do our best to keep it running, rain or shine," Barry Bruce, carnival chairman, said. Last year, the carnival had a record number of 30,000 attendees in a week. Bruce will join dozens of volunteers this week to ensure that the event runs smoothly.

"I've been here since 7 a.m. this morning, and I'll probably be here until 2 a.m. tonight," he said.

Carnivalgoers of all ages walked along rows of rides, games and tempting food stands Monday. The sound of rock group Sugarcoat echoed across the fairgrounds.

Standing beside the carousel, George Brooks Jr. snapped photos of his daughter, Saniah, 1, on the ride.

"It's her first time riding on it," Brooks said, waving to Saniah and her mother, Kurtisha Owens.

Saniah was not the only first-time carnival attendee. Amber and Sean Fasig pushed daughter Kayleigh, 1, in her stroller at her first carnival. Her sister Emily, 4, sat on Sean's shoulders, sampling her first fair corndog.

The family left the carnival with cotton candy, corndogs and even a new pet.

"This year, we won a goldfish," Amber said.

This year's carnival features classic carnival rides, bumper cars and pony rides. There is also a new and used book tent, a white elephant sale, a business expo, an arts and crafts display area and bingo every night.

New to the carnival is the chance to "have your picture taken with the stars," Bruce said. People can be photographed next to life-size images of Troy Bolton and Sharpay Evans of High School Musical, Elvis, Rocky, Homer Simpson, Bart Simpson, WWE's Triple H and NASCAR's Bill Elliot.

Skydiver Steve Lapp will descend onto the high school's field tonight and Saturday night. Although inclement weather canceled Lapp's skydive Monday, skies cleared in time for opening night fireworks. "It looks like the weather is now on our side," Bruce said. By 8 p.m, the clouds disappeared, leaving only the silhouettes of carnival rides and red-striped tent tops against the setting sun.

The Lancaster Catholic High School Carnival will run through Saturday. Gates open at 6 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, free for children 6 and younger. Bands scheduled to appear are Strange Eden tonight; The Sage on Wednesday; Lucy Rocks and The Roof Rockers on Thursday; Flashback Friday Live and Holly Wood on Friday; Red Root Dynasty and Great Big House on Saturday. There will be fireworks Saturday night.

E-mail: kobrien@lnpnews.com