A South Jersey church carnival opened Monday night with heightened security measures following recent violence and disorder at other community carnivals across the region.
The St. Mary of the Lakes Carnival and Music Fest in Medford Township, New Jersey, included bag searches, wand screenings, ID checks and increased police presence as families arrived for the annual fundraiser, which organizers say raises six figures each year for the parish school.
The carnival also implemented additional restrictions this year, including prohibiting face coverings and banning hoodies worn over attendees’ heads. On Friday and Saturday nights, attendees under 18 who are taller than 60 inches are required to purchase either a nightly unlimited ride wristband or a weekend Mega Pass to enter…