Gaithersburg Board of Appeals approves Lakeforest Mall May carnival despite coronavirus pandemic

The Gaithersburg Board of Appeals, meeting by internet teleconference, approved a May carnival for Lakeforest Mall Tuesday. Both the board and the carnival's operator acknowledged the looming reality of the coronavirus pandemic, and the social distancing policies the county and state have implemented as a result of it. Operator Jolly Shows is willing to postpone the carnival to June if necessary. But the decision by the board still raised eyebrows, as there is no indication as of now that the pandemic will be over even by June.

Amid coronavirus uncertainty, Gaithersburg set to approve May carnival at Lakeforest Mall

The most powerful people in America, at all levels of government, are unable to tell us with certainty when the current coronavirus Stay-at-Home lockdown and social distancing practices will end. That's because the full nature and potential impact of the Covid-19 virus remain largely unknown. Amidst this uncertainty, the Gaithersburg Board of Appeals is poised to approve a May carnival at Lakeforest Mall at its April 7, 2020 meeting.

Jolly Shows plans to operate the carnival in the mall parking lot bearfrom May 13-25, 2020. The company has extensive experience in operating carnivals at similar sites around the country. Rides will include Area 51, the traditional favorite Tilt-A-Whirl, a Wiggle Worm and Bear Affair. There will also be games of chance on the fair's midway, including the old-fashioned sledgehammer-slamming High Striker, Duck Pond, and the water pistol-packing Racers Edge Water Race.

Concessions will include hot dogs, pizza, sausages, cheesesteaks, ice cream, funnel cakes, candy apples, and Deep Fried Oreos and Twinkies. Lakeforest Mall approved the carnival's application back on February 3, long before the panic over coronavirus began.