POINT PLEASANT — With the start of school just around the corner, many area students are busy preparing for their classes.

However, there are still some fun summer activities to get into before school officially begins. This year’s annual Community Carnival will be at the Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church and will feature food, fun, face painting and games.

Slated for 6-8 p.m. Friday at the church, located on the corner of Eighth and Main streets, the free carnival is an event designed to get local children excited about the upcoming year. According to Donna Lambert, who serves as the service outreach chairperson at the church, the carnival is a way for students to celebrate the start of school.

Lambert also emphasized that the church hosts the carnival as an outreach to the community.

“We do it because of God’s love for the children and to let them know God loves them,” she said.

In addition to the free food and entertainment, there will be games and door prizes for all ages. Door prizes include both toys and school supplies. Adult door prizes will be given as well. Phil Luckydoo also will be on hand to entertain the crowd with his balloon animals, and there will be a wide assortment of activities to give people plenty of chances for fun.

The Mason County Health Department also will have stations set up, which is new for this year’s carnival. Lambert encouraged both children and parents to attend the event.

“Come to the carnival to have fun and for a good time of fellowship. Everyone is welcome,” she said.

Door prize drawings also are slated for 7 p.m.

In addition to the carnival, the church has sponsors a food pantry and clothes closet on Wednesdays, hosts a Thanksgiving dinner each November and frequently co-sponsors the community Easter egg hunt.

For more information about Friday’s carnival, call the church at 304-675-2170.