LATHROP – It was a gamble. 

In order to bring  carnival entertainment to Lathrop residents Mayor Sonny Dhaliwal had to convince the rest of the city council that a $7,500 roll of the dice – what they would essentially be shelling out to rent the privately-owned lot next to Target – was worth it. 

They ended up clearing $7,000 once everything was paid back. 

Now, with a working relation with Butler Amusements and a cost-sharing agreement that will halve its financial obligation, the city is hoping that the prime real estate will attract a similar crowd this weekend and once again provide the sort of family fun that most people have to travel outside of town to find. 

“It was a great event the last time that we held it, and we’re hoping to have the same thing,” Dhaliwal said. “It’s Mother’s Day Weekend and it’s right off of I-5 so we’re hoping that it’ll be a chance to draw people from all over the place.

“It’s a very good thing for the community, and it’s a good thing for the city.”

Today is the last day that people can purchase presale unlimited ride passes for each individual day of the carnival at City Hall for only $20. Starting Thursday, when the carnival begins, the cost will increase to $25 on-site. 

Last year it was a 3-2 council vote that gave the city the go-ahead to proceed as the event’s principal sponsor and bankroll the $7,500 that was needed to get the event off the ground. Land owner Watt Development required $4,000 – the majority of which, according to City Manager Steve Salvatore, went into lawyer’s fees to draft the hold-harmless agreement that shielded the company from liability. Butler Amusements, as a first-time partner, also required a small up-front fee to solidify its investment in the community. 

Everything worked out according to plan. 

The idea, which Dhaliwal pitched after seeing a packed carnival in Milpitas, not only ended up making the city money – a nice byproduct, he said, but not the intention – but was also without any significant events or problems. 

Advance ride passes will be available for sale at Lathrop City Hall, located at 259 Town Center Drive, today through 6 p.m., for $20. The carnival will be held on Thursday, May 8, from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday May 9, to 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday May 10, from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday May 11 from 12 to 10 p.m. To get to the carnival take the Louise Ave. exit off of I-5. The carnival will be held in the lot next to Target.