LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX News) — Shiloh Baptist Church is hosting its annual community carnival Friday evening in its parking lot, marking the East End's first community event since a deadly mass shooting at Charles Young Park last Saturday.
Carnival attractions, bumper cars, horse rides, and food vendors will fill the church's parking lot for an evening of fellowship.
Natasha Menifee, Shiloh Baptist Church's discipleship leader, said the event is meant to bring the community together in the wake of the tragedy.
"It was something we wanted to be able to open up to the community," Menifee said. "So we're here in the East End, and we wanted to bring the same type of experience out to the East End."
The shooting at Charles Young Park killed a 16-year-old boy and injured 4 others.
Menifee said the carnival is not meant to minimize what happened, but to give the community a place to heal together.
"It's a way for us to have safe engagement, but we're still here as a community to bounce back. A place to come and feel safe. To hang out with friends, to hang out with family. To know that we don't make light of the event. We don't dismiss the tragedy that's happened," Menifee said.
Last year, nearly 300 people attended the church's carnival. Menifee said she hopes even more will come out this year, drawn in part by new attractions and returning favorites.
"I think the first word that came to my mind was family. From my experience of being here and worshipping here at Shiloh, it's a family community," Menifee said.
Among the highlights is a smokehouse food truck that was a crowd favorite last year.
"I'm excited for the smokehouse food truck because he has BBQ nachos. They were a big hit last year, and he sold out very quickly. So I anticipate that he'll sell out again, and I hope to be the first one in line," Menifee said.
The sheriff's office and additional security will be on hand throughout the evening.
Menifee extended an open invitation to anyone who wants to attend, regardless of where they live.
"We want to be able to have these types of events and more here in the East End, so we hope everybody takes advantage of this opportunity, and even if you don't live in the East End, come out anyway. We're here in the community, but the community goes just beyond one neighborhood," Menifee said.
The free event goes from 6-10 p.m. on Friday in the parking lot of Shiloh Baptist Church.
