CARNIVAL GAME & ACTIVITIES

Step right up for all the fun! We have a variety of attractions, experiences, and games for all. The 2026 Carnival will include:

Experiences

• Bach-to-Rock Musical Zoo
• Bach-to-Rock Stage w/ DJ & Live Music
• Boo Boo Station
• Dunk Tank
• Flair Hair
• Giant Slide
• Hopkins Robotics Team Activity
• Inflatable Obstacle Course
• Photobooth with Leo the Lion
• Tattoo Station

Games

• Cereal Walk
• Drink Toss
• Duck Pond
• Games with Hopkins Fastpitch Softball
• Hockey Shots with Hopkins Hockey
• Inflatable Archery with the Cub Scouts
• Math Games with Mathnasium of Golden Valley
• Muncie Walk
• Ping Pong Toss
• Plinko
• Sack Hop
• Winning Wheel

MEADOWBROOK ADVENTURES

Our Meadowbrook teachers and staff have generously volunteered to offer a variety of adventures that can be won by students through a lucky draw. All funds will go to the Meadowbrook PTO to support school programs.

Cost

• Tickets are $1 each
• Paid via cash or check only (per MN gambling rules)

How to Participate

1. Before the Carnival

• Review the Meadowbrook Adventures list and complete ticket entry forms for as many tickets as you want to buy.
• Return completed ticket entry form(s) and payment of $1 (cash or check only) per entry to the office by Sept. 25th. Checks can be made out to "Meadowbrook PTO."

2. Hybrid

• Print and complete the ticket entry forms at home. At the Carnival, drop off your entries at the Meadowbrook Adventures table near Eat Street at the Carnival and pay (cash or check only).

3. At the Carnival on Sept. 26th

• Visit the Meadowbrook Adventures table near Eat Street to complete forms (or drop pre-filled) and pay for the number of tickets you want.

Winners will be drawn at random and announced at the end of the event. You DO NOT need to be present to win, but it's more fun if you are! Winners will be contacted within 2 days with additional details.

For questions, email meadowbrookcarnival@gmail.com. 

NEW FOR 2026! FOOD TRUCKS

Want to help the Meadowbrook PTO and not have to worry about making dinner? Enjoy a variety of delicious food & beverage options from area food trucks while enjoying Carnival activities. A percent of the proceeds will be generously donated to the PTO, so please come hungry!

Dirty Dock Soda Shop: Walking Tacos, Pretzels, Nachos, Dirty Sodas

Kumain Eats: Filipino Comfort Food, including Chicken Skewers, Fried Rice, Lumpia

MN Food Truck Association: Pronto Pups, Pronto Brats, Chicken Tenders, Cheese Curds, French Fries, Pop/Water

Unbakeable: Edible Cookie Dough

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS!

Sponsorships from community businesses are a critical way to offset the cost of operating the Carnival and generating funds for the Meadowbrook PTO for school-related programs.

A huge thank you to our community businesses who are generously supporting the Carnival this year.

DIAMOND SPONSORS: $650

Giant Slide: Thanks to Filigree Jewelers, a family-owned-and-operated jeweler in the North Loop.

Eat Street: Thanks to KMG, a full service vendor rep firm providing a wealth of knowledge and trust.

GOLD SPONSORS: $450

Inflatable Obstacle Course: Thanks to The Queitzsch Family

Cereal Walk: Thanks to JOYCE, an independent creative workshop, focused on branding and experience design

SILVER SPONSORS: $300

Dunk Tank: Thanks to Space Horse Strategy, a Brand and Marketing Consultancy created to help agencies and businesses accelerate their growth through data-backed, human-centered strategy.

Munchie Walk: Thanks to Civil Site Group, provider of civil engineering, landscape architecture, and professional services.

Flair Hair: Thanks to Mathnasium - Golden Valley, your neighborhood math-only learning center.

Drink Toss: Thanks to TranscenDance Xperience, inspiring dancers, igniting dreams, and illuminating futures.

Wristbands: Thanks to Johannsen Group Mortgage -- Homes for Heroes partner helping teachers and other local heroes save on their mortgage.  

BRONZE SPONSORS: $100

Duck Pond: Thanks to Fulton Beer, a microbrewery in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis.

Boo Boo Station: Thanks to Soul Centered Therapy, discover new paths to healing.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Sign-up here for a volunteer shift (or two) today!

If you've attended in the past, you know the Meadowbrook Carnival is a big event with the largest need for volunteers. It's mega fun, but only if everyone helps a little.

Based on last year's attendance and needs, we'll need 175+ adult and student volunteers for this year's event. This means we need you - ALL of you - to include volunteering during your time at the Carnival. Shifts are in 1-hour increments, so there is plenty of time to volunteer AND still partake in the festivities. Please sign up early and save us the panic as we'll be begging for volunteers as the date approaches if we still have slots to fill.

Many of the volunteer slots are for adult + student, which means you and your student can fully staff a game or activity. in this case, you count as two volunteers for the volunteer slot. The students seem to enjoy the leadership role, so grab a slot ASAP!

Questions? Email use at meadowbrookcarnival@gmail.com.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

We are excited to see everyone Saturday, September 26th from 3 - 6pm on the playground for the 2026 Meadowbrook Carnival! We've compiled the top things you need to know before you arrive.

Wristbands

• If you pre-purchased your youth wristband(s) online prior to 9/23 be sure to check your child's Friday Take Home folder as that is how wristbands are being distributed.
• If you pre-purchased your youth wristband(s) and didn’t receive them in your child's Friday folder or you purchased online after 9/23, you can pick up your wristband(s) at one of two ticket tables when you arrive at the Carnival. Just show your receipt on your phone or bring a printout.
• If you need to purchase wristbands for your students, save time by buying them online before you arrive. You can also buy wristbands on-site with cash or a credit card. Wristbands are $15 and only need to be purchased for children participating in games and activities. 

Making Purchases
We have several ways to pay. Here’s a quick overview:

• Wristbands - Purchase online with a credit card in advance and skip the line. On-site, you can purchase using cash or card at both Carnival entrances.
• Hopkins Drawstring Backpacks - Available for sale for $5 at the ticket tables at both Carnival entrances. Purchase with cash or credit card.
• Food and Drinks - Purchase using ApplePay, cash, or a credit card
• Meadowbrook Adventures - Purchase using cash or check (written out to “Meadowbrook PTO”).

What to Bring

• Your wristband(s) or receipt if you’re picking up onsite
• Payment types noted above
• A small bag or string backpack for prize swag - also available for purchase at event entrance tables

Parking
All the Meadowbrook lots will be available for parking with the exception of the bus lot. Golden Valley Lutheran Church at 5501 Glenwood, has offered up overflow parking in their lot across Glenwood from Meadowbrook. 

Carnival Map
Find your favorite games or your volunteer post using the 2026 Carnival Map.

How to Get Help at the Carnival
Please communicate these details to your students in case you get separated:

• General help - Visit either ticket table or ask anyone with a walkie
• First aid help - Visit the ticket table near the playground
• Lost/separated kids - visit the DJ booth for an announcement
• Lost and found items - please bring them to ticket table near the playground

Restrooms
We will be using the school’s indoor restrooms, which can be accessed through Door N (up the stairs behind the dunk tank and near the DJ). 

Weather
The Carnival is on rain or shine. Based on the day's weather report activities will be held both indoors and outdoors.

Questions
If there’s anything else we can answer for you, please email meadowbrookcarnival@gmail.com. If you have questions on-site, stop by a ticket pick-up table.

CARNIVAL FAQ's

Q: Who can I contact for a question not listed here?
A: Please email meadowbrookcarnival@gmail.com.

Q: Will the Carnival be indoors or outdoors?
A: This year's Carnival will be held both outdoors and indoors due to today's weather.

Q: Can I buy wristbands onsite?
A: Yes, but we strongly encourage you to buy them online in advance as we know from experience that students do not like waiting in lines while their friends are playing games. Buy your wristbands here. Wristbands are only necessary for kids participating in games and activities. Wristbands purchased online prior to 9/23 will be sent home in Friday folders on 9/25. Wristbands purchased after 9/23 can be picked up at either ticket booth at the Carnival entrances.

Q: Why can't I buy Meadowbrook Adventures entries on the online ticket site?
A: The State of Minnesota considers this type of drawing as gambling, and currently state law only permits gambling payments via cash or check.

Q: If I'm volunteering with my student, do we count as one or two volunteers?
A: For the games/activities noted as adult + student, you would count as two volunteers, so select a quantity of 2 for that volunteer slot.

Q: Can older siblings join or volunteer?
A: Yes! We've heard from many parents that their middle school and high school students want to come back to the Carnival and help. They are welcome to get a ticket and participate and/or sign up to volunteer with a friend.

Q: Can extended family attend or volunteer?
A: Yes! The Carnival is a perfect family event and we welcome all loved ones - grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, friends - to join us in the fun and encourage them to pick up a volunteer slot too.

Q: What happens if it rains?
A:  We're not going to let a little rain get in the way of a great day - the event will be held rain or shine.We will be hosting activities both indoors and outdoors this year, but bring your umbrella and rain jacket just in case so you don't miss out on any of the excitement.

Q: Does my toddler need a wristband?
A: Only if the child will be actively participating in games and activities.

Q: Do adults need wristbands?
A: No, only the youth participants actively playing games.

Q: I ordered wristbands. How do I get them?
A: Wristbands purchased online before 9/23 will be sent home in folders the Friday before the Carnival (9/25). When purchasing wristbands online, please note your students name, grade and teacher, so we can send wristbands home with them. Wristbands purchased after 9/23 can be picked up at either ticket booth at the Carnival entrances.

Q: I ordered wristbands, but did not receive them in my child’s Friday folder on 9/25. What should I do?
A: Check-in at either ticket booth at the Carnival entrances and our team will be able to help you.

Q: How do I purchase a Hopkins drawstring backpack for my child? 
A: The bags are $5 each and can be paid for by credit card here or by cash at the event at either entrance ticket table. All profits go directly to the Meadowbrook PTO.

Q: I ordered a Hopkins drawstring backpack for my child on the website when & where do I pick that up?
A: If you ordered a backpack before 9/23, the bag was sent home with your student on Friday. If you ordered after 9/23, the backpacks will be available for pick-up during the Carnival at the wristband tables at both entrances. Be prepared to show your receipt or confirm your name with the volunteer cashier on duty. 

Q: Do I need to bring cash to the Carnival?
A: Yes! You’ll be able to buy food with credit card. However, Meadowbrook Adventures drawings require cash. Wristbands can be purchased online with a credit card or in-person with cash.

Q: Where should I park?
A: All school lots will be available with the exception of the bus lot. Additionally, Golden Valley Lutheran Church (5501 Glenwood) has offered up overflow parking in their lot across Glenwood from Meadowbrook.

Q: What should I bring?
A: A tote or string backpack for your child to hold prizes (we will also have Hopkins branded ones available for $5 each at either ticket table at the entrances to the Carnival), cash for Meadowbrook Adventures, money for food, and wristbands (if you already bought and received them).

Q: What food will be for sale?
A: New this year we will be hosting several community food trucks with options ranging from pronto pups, chicken tenders, cheese curds, french fries, walking tacos, dirty sodas, and much more!

Q: I'm signed up to volunteer. Do I need to check-in anywhere?
A: Thank you for volunteering! Please head straight to your volunteer spot at the designated time. Instructions will be provided at the activity/location. If you have questions swing by the ticket booth table at each entrance & someone will be able to help you.

CONTACT

If you have any questions about the Meadowbrook Carnival or orders that you have placed, please contact:

Carnival Co-Chairs: Angela Higgins & Amy Becklund-Wagner
Carnival Email: meadowbrookcarnival@gmail.com