In need of a new vehicle or just looking to take a drive in support of local students?

The third annual Lehighton Education and Athletic Foundation Community Carnival is the place to be later this month.

Lehighton Ford is again partnering with LEAF to host test drives on the final day of the carnival, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For every test drive, Lehighton Ford is giving $20, up to $6,000, to the nonprofit organization, which supports a number of initiatives in the Lehighton Area School District.

“Community involvement is such a big thing for Ford, and we want to step up in any way we can to partner with our local schools,” said Bill Klepeiss, Lehighton Ford general manager. “There is no sales pitch here. You can come sign up for a test drive and, we’ll get someone in a car with you for liability purposes, but there is no sales pressure.”

This will be the second year for the test drive fundraiser after last year’s event raised around $1,300. LEAF officials are hoping for even more participation this year.

“The people at Ford are wonderful to work with and we’re so pleased to be continuing this partnership,” said Tim Tkach, LEAF board member.

LEAF provides funding for things such as student scholarships, grants for teachers, and the district’s STEAM initiative including three camps during the summer. It also supports school groups such as the high school Future Business Leaders of America team, which qualified for the national competition in California last year.

“We’re looking to give out four student scholarships again this year at $1,250 each,” Tkach said. “LEAF has raised that every year. It started out at two $1,000 scholarships and has grown. We’re also planning on increasing the weeklong STEAM camps, which are put on by Penn State, from two to three camps this year. Our students can attend those at just $35 out of their own pocket and LEAF picks up the rest. In other districts, these camps cost hundreds of dollars.”

The STEAM camps are popular in Lehighton, Tkach added, as only 25 spots are available for each and there are usually waitlists for each one.

Carnival schedule

The carnival will take place April 26-28 at the middle school practice fields on Mahoning and Ninth streets.

Hours are 4-8 p.m. on April 26, 4-10 p.m. on April 27, and noon-10 p.m. on April 28.

The event features rides, food, games, and music including the Lehighton Area High School Marching Band on April 26 at 6:30 p.m.

A ride wristband special, all the rides for $15, will be available on April 26. Family Day ride specials are on April 28 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., when ride wristbands are $15 each. A coaster derby race on Beaver Run Road is scheduled for April 28. Registration for the race starts at 8 a.m., practice is at 9 a.m., and the race starts at 10 a.m.

“We’re hoping for good weather,” Tkach said. “The first year was kind of cold and wet. We did better last year, but we’re coming with more food vendors this year and of course nightly entertainment. It’s a good time for people to come support the kids in this community.”