When the 91st annual Sharptown Carnival opened this week, a new ride had been added to the traditional amusements, games and foods.

“We bought a Himalaya. Ours is a smaller version of the one in Ocean City but it has three speeds forward and three speeds backward,” said John Cooper, president of the fire company, who is looking forward to the carnival.

A raffle was added, as well, a YETI Giveaway that includes two coolers, a cooler bag and two cooler cups.

“Of course, we have our merry-go-round and our oyster sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs and softshell crabs,” Cooper said.

The popular event, opening at 7 nightly except Sundays through Aug. 26, will also feature a $12,000 giveaway and a hunter’s package giveaway and live entertainment on Wednesday nights.

Aug. 17 is Fire Prevention Night.

There is no admission charge. Prices to ride all evening are $10 on Mondays and Tuesdays and $12 Wednesdays through Saturdays.

“The Sharptown Carnival has that nice carnival feel,” Cooper said.

“It’s kept up really nice. We try to keep it really clean and enjoyable at half the cost of a lot of other places. We even have people tell us they come from other places and they schedule family vacations for when we’re having the carnival.

“We had a lady call last year from Florida and she wanted to know the dates. Her family has family here,” Cooper said.

Although no official count is taken, he said crowds get large, with maybe 2,000 to 3,000 attending on some nights.

“We have our delicious funnel cakes and of course all of our games,” said Cooper, who sells water, soft drinks and iced tea at the carnival.

No alcoholic beverages are sold.

“No, we have never had that,” he said. “I think for a nice event like this, it would take away from the family atmosphere.”