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Wittingslow Rye carnival a real family affair

WHAT started out as a fundraising effort more than 60 years ago has turned into a summer institution on the Mornington Peninsula.

The Wittingslow Rye carnival comes alive after sunset. Picture: David Caird.
The Wittingslow Rye carnival comes alive after sunset. Picture: David Caird.

THE peninsula’s carnival kings are bringing nostalgia back to the foreshore.

The Wittingslows — one of Australia’s oldest carnival families — are introducing more rides for younger children, heritage bunting and a vintage coffee cart and food vans at Rosebud.

Down the road along the Rye foreshore, the family’s second carnival location will offer thrill and adventure rides and a later closing time.

Tom Wittingslow first developed the Rye Carnival in 1955 to raise money for the rebuilding of the Rye RSL. It turned out to be a move which would cement the family’s place in summer holiday history.

Morgan, Manya and Michael Wittingslow own and run the Wittingslow Rye Carnival. Picture: David Caird.
Morgan, Manya and Michael Wittingslow own and run the Wittingslow Rye Carnival. Picture: David Caird.

His great-grandson Michael Wittingslow said that while the family had toured rides and amusements all over Australia and internationally, the peninsula carnivals held precious memories.

“Since my grandfather Des Wittingslow first began touring rides and amusements to small shows and fairs in regional Victoria in 1932, we have grown our family business and involvement with communities all over Australia,” he said.

“We are a proud peninsula family, and we love the community we live in. We also love that generations of peninsula families, and Australian and overseas visitors, share the magic of the carnival with us every summer.”

This year will also see the return of the WaterWild theme park at Rosebud.

The Wittingslows employ more than 100 people across the two sites each year.

SUPER PASS DETAILS

WaterWild Inflatable Fun Park — open 10am-4pm

Rye Carnival — 6pm-11pm

Rosebud Carnival — 5pm-9pm

Pre-buy $40 wrist bands for unlimited rides from boneomazeandminigolf.com.au

Save with a $150 super pass that includes entry to the carnivals, fun park and Boneo Maze and Mini Golf

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/wittingslow-rye-carnival-a-real-family-affair/news-story/1090be20378d93989c4a93416fc864c2