On Tuesday at 7 p.m., the Christiansburg Planning Commission will consider Cole Shows Amusement Company’s request to hold a spring carnival in the parking lot of Uptown Christiansburg, known locally as “the mall.”
The carnival is proposed to be set up March 22-April 8 in the same place, with the same layout as last year. The carnival will be open for visitors March 26-April 5 and feature 14 rides including the fast-paced swings of “Funnel Force” and a kiddie roller coaster called “Dragon Wagon.”
Before setting up the carnival, Cole Shows Amusement Company needs to obtain a conditional use permit from the planning commission and town council. However, the initial March 22 set-up date precedes the potential town council action date of March 24.
Cole Shows Amusement Company is based in Covington and operates carnivals in Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. According to its website, the company once provided a carnival at the U.S. Congressional Picnic on the White House Lawn. The website does not list the year or feature photos of that event.
A summary of the carnival request in Tuesday’s meeting agenda states, “There have been no reported issues in previous years.” The agenda also notes that the planning commission may consider approving Cole Shows Amusement Company to hold a spring carnival multiple years in a row instead of going through the approval process each year.
Cole Shows Amusement Company already has an agreement with Uptown Christiansburg’s management to run this year’s carnival.
Tuesday’s planning commission meeting is open to the public and will be held in the Town Council Chambers of Christiansburg Town Hall at 100 E. Main Street.
