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Vestal Asphalt Foundation Hosts 2nd Annual Construction Carnival

Free for kids 12 and under! The event takes place 11am-4pm on Saturday, May 16th

By Kate Fletcher, Macaroni KID Binghamton Publisher May 11, 2026

Get Your Hard Hats Ready: The Construction Carnival for Charity Returns!

If your kids are obsessed with excavators, orange cones, and big rigs, clear your calendar for this Saturday! The Vestal Asphalt Foundation is bringing back its unique, high-energy Construction Carnival for Charity, and it’s the perfect way to "dig in" to some family fun while supporting a fantastic local cause.

THE DETAILS

  • 📅 WHEN: Saturday, May 16th | 11:00AM – 4:00PM
  • 📍 WHERE: 220 Stage Rd. Vestal, NY
  • 🎟️ ADMISSION: $20 per person (Includes 20 game tickets)
  • 👶 KIDS: Children under 12 get in FREE!
  • ☔ WEATHER: Rain or Shine! (Indoor warehouse backup plan)

The Vestal Asphalt Foundation was formed in 2022 as a way for the company and its employees to give back to the Southern Tier. Set up as a donor-advised fund through the Community Foundation for South Central New York, the foundation is the heart of the company’s philanthropic mission. This entire event is dreamed up and executed by an employee-led Philanthropy Committee who wanted to create something truly special for our community.

Supporting Our Community

This isn’t just about having a blast with heavy machinery—it’s about heart. Proceeds from the 2026 Carnival will directly benefit the Children's Home of Wyoming Conference in Binghamton.

Last year’s inaugural event proved that there is nothing better than seeing the smiles on kids' faces as they interact with real construction equipment. The organizers loved seeing everyone in their safety vests and hard hats so much that they've made it a centerpiece of the experience again this year!

One-of-a-Kind Games

Forget the standard ring toss. These games have a heavy-duty twist:

  • Mini-Excavator Challenge: Yes, you can actually operate the machine! Try to pick up a ball from a traffic cone and drop it into a barrel. It’s a test of skill that’s tougher than it looks!
  • Boom Lift Basketball: Strap in and head into the sky on a boom lift to try and sink a basket from the clouds. (Even Rowdy from the Rumble Ponies was there last year to show off his shot!)
  • Handcrafted Wooden Games: Check out "Giant Plinko," the "Race to the Top" string-steer challenge, and "Pothole Pitfall," where you use a mini leaf blower to navigate a "road" full of obstacles.

Tickets, Food & Fun

Each adult admission comes with 20 tickets. Use them at any game to win tokens, which can be traded for small prizes or combined for larger rewards. While kids under 12 are free, they can use adult tickets to try the games and also enjoy kid activities that don't require tickets—plus, every child goes home with their very own safety vest and "hard hat" (while supplies last)!

Come hungry! In addition to included popcorn and cotton candy, local food trucks like Sunny Side Sips Lemonade, Bitez & Thingz, and Tuttle's Hot Diggity Dogs will be on-site.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Visit the official website for more info about the event and foundation initiatives.

Visit Event Website

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