Cody Mack scanned the game table, checked for wind resistance, pulled his arm back and gave an underhanded toss of a ping-pong ball with the confidence of a championship softball player.

It landed, after a bounce or two, into a small bowl.

Cody, 10, of Penn Hills had just won his fifth game at the second annual Penn Hills Community Carnival and Cookout on Thursday evening. He walked away happy with a hermit crab.

“It has fun stuff,” he said about the carnival.

Cody was accompanied by his sister, Justice Nixon, and her fiance, Ryan Smith, all from Penn Hills.

“He’s pretty persistent on trying to win things,” Nixon said. “I can imagine him winning five times.”

Hundreds of families came out to the event at Turner-Friendship Park along Hunter Road.

It is presented by Penn Hills Rotary and North Bessemer Volunteer Fire Department No. 3.

The fun began Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday.

“We wanted to do something fun for the community,” said Tyler Tomasino, president of the Rotary. “People are really eager, ever since the pandemic, to do stuff outdoors. We thought what better than to try and do a carnival at the park. They did it in Rosedale last year pretty successfully. … We had a little bit of rain the first day, but the weather turned out really nice tonight.”

During its first year, the Rosedale Civic Association and Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department No. 2. held it at 5806 Verona Road in Penn Hills, drawing an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people. The carnival raised $5,000 to help fund a renovation project for the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department Park.

Scheduling conflicts prevented them from being able to host it again.

All proceeds from the carnival will go to the Rotary and fire department. Both nonprofits began planning for the event in February.

“I’m really proud of the work that the Rotary and North Bessemer fire department put in,” Tomasino said. “This is something you would typically take a whole year to plan. We were able to do all this in a short turnaround time.”

Resident Tyler Schertz brought his daughter, Breña Schertz, 9, out for some fun Thursday. They went down the Magic Carpet slide ride together.

The youth had a rather adult response when asked about why the municipality should have such an event.

“It gets people to not play on their phones, basically, and have a fun time with your kids,” Brena said.

Carnival games, rides and related foods were provided by LAM Enterprises of Elizabeth Township. It’s the same company involved in the inaugural Penn Hills carnival and was in Verona for its fall festival for 15 years.

“It’s always a pleasure to be in Western Pennsylvania,” LAM owner Lloyd Serfass said. “We have long relationship ties to this area. It’s always nice to be here.

“This is the first time we’ve ever been here (in this park). We’re testing the waters. It’s a very nice park and we’re very happy the Rotary and the fire department could sponsor this.”

Several Rotary members, including John Petrucci, cooked fresh cut fries, burgers and hotdogs as part of the cookout.

“It’s a great organization,” he said. “We give 100% of whatever we raise back into the community. That’s what the Rotary’s all about — helping people.”

Firefighters operated the Penn Hills Midget Football concession stands and handled traffic control among other tasks. They had to turn some people away Thursday night due to parking restrictions.

About 200 vehicles packed the parking lots and parts of the fields.

Shuttle bus available

A shuttle bus was donated by Krise Transportation for Friday’s and Saturday’s carnival.

It will transport people to and from the former St. Gerard Majella Church along Hamill Road.

John Zacchia, fire department president, said he was grateful for the community support; he said the turnout was overwhelming.

“We would have liked to have more time (to plan),” Zacchia said. “We’re going to start planning the next one next month. … The fire department (and) the Rotary have always been a big part of the community.

“We have an opportunity to bring everybody together, which is great. See friends you haven’t seen in years, and on top of that raising money for a good cause. Our fire departments are 100% volunteer. We’re always looking for ways to fund our operation.”

Zacchia said the money the fire department generates at the carnival will go toward paying for a new rescue truck.

Penn Hills High School cheerleaders provided face paintings, temporary tattoos and performed a routine. Other activities include raffles, including a 50/50 raffle.

Vendors and organizations at the carnival included Penn Hills Softball, Auberle, Presbyterian Senior Care, Army National Guard, Bygone Wines and Cricket.

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