Families filled the halls of the Friedberg JCC on Sunday morning for a high-energy Purim carnival that has become a beloved tradition in the Oceanside community for more than a quarter-century.
The annual celebration transformed the JCC into a lively carnival scene complete with games, arts and crafts, face painting, bounce houses and obstacle courses. New this year were go-karts, which quickly became a highlight for many of the youngest attendees. Children and parents arrived dressed in colorful costumes, embracing the playful spirit of the Jewish holiday.
“We have this every year,” said Andrea Ahearne, senior program director of early childhood at the JCC. “We didn’t have a specific theme. We invited all families just to be themselves and dress up in their own creative way, which they did, along with staff.”
The event is a collaboration between the JCC’s Early Childhood and Youth Services departments, whose staff begin planning shortly after Hanukkah ends each year. While preparations take place behind the scenes for months, the transformation of the building happens in a matter of hours.
“Our maintenance staff is incredible,” Ahearne said. “They turn the building around so quickly for setup and breakdown. We really have a solid team to ensure that the event is successful.”
The carnival welcomes children as young as 18 months, with activities tailored to different age groups. In addition to inflatables and obstacle courses, families enjoyed cotton candy, popcorn and traditional Purim treats such as hamantaschen — triangular pastries that are a customary part of the holiday.
At craft stations, children created groggers, or noisemakers, along with masks and crowns tied to the Purim story. The groggers are traditionally shaken during readings of the Book of Esther to drown out the name of Haman, the story’s villain.
Though the carnival is not primarily a fundraiser, it serves as one of the JCC’s signature community-building events. “It’s our yearly community celebration,” Ahearne said. “It’s part of our mission to bring the community together to celebrate. A lot of families call this their second home.”
Attendance exceeded expectations this year. Early presale numbers were lower than anticipated, but by the end of the event, more than 200 people had come through the doors — roughly four times what organizers initially projected.
Ahearne credited the turnout to strengthened outreach efforts and collaboration among departments. The JCC also partners with outside organizations to enhance programming and broaden its reach.
On of the partners is Island Quest Day Camp, in Wheatley Heights, which takes part in JCC events throughout the year, encouraging campers and families to reconnect. The JCC also works with PJ Library, a national program that offers free Jewish-themed books to families. Thanks to that partnership, families attending the carnival had the chance to sign up for PJ Library during registration. The collaboration includes a stipend that helps the JCC expand its offerings — such as adding go-karts and additional vendors this year.
Over time, the carnival has evolved based on community feedback. Past attractions have included escape rooms and laser tag, while inflatables and interactive games have been featured in other years.
“We like to change it up year to year,” Ahearne said. “We take feedback on what food to serve, what activities families enjoy the most, and then we build from there.”
Purim began on Monday night, as the Herald went to press, and the JCC’s Early Childhood department was scheduled to host a themed parade on Tuesday for students to continue the celebration.
