Town staff credits ARPA funds and local sponsors for 5th annual Be Well Carnival

Town of Northborough staff said the Be Well Carnival marked its fifth year and that organizers relied on federal ARPA funds and two local corporate sponsors to keep the event running.

The staff member opened remarks by noting the carnival began during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This carnival started when COVID happened,” the staff member said, and added that initial versions of the event were created using ARPA funds.

Describing the event format, the staff member said it takes place on the last day of school, with students attending a half day before joining the carnival. “We have bounce houses, we have games, activities, all sorts of things,” the staff member said, and noted that every department from the town hall set up booths so parents and children could both enjoy free activities and learn about town services.

The staff member said organizers faced a funding shortfall this year. “But most of all, this year, we did not have enough money to run the event,” the staff member said. “We were able to get 2 local sponsors. Saint-Gobain and Central 1 Credit Union came in and sponsored the whole event, and it came out a success,” the staff member added, thanking the sponsors.

The transcript does not specify dollar amounts for ARPA funding or the sponsorships, nor does it give an exact date for the carnival beyond the staff member’s description of its timing relative to the school calendar. The town staff framed the carnival as an outreach program intended to connect families with town departments and services.

Organizers said the sponsors' support allowed the free community event to continue despite budget constraints; staff publicly thanked Saint-Gobain and Central 1 Credit Union for their contributions.