There will be more than 20 booths featuring games of skill and attractions for children and adults, including face painting and henna tattoos.

Students should be specially interested in the fact that school officials will be sitting atop a dunk tank during the school day, to be dropped into the drink with the lucky throw of a softball.

Food and refreshments will be available throughout.

At 7 p.m., students and families can attend a show by professional magician Jim Vagias, known throughout the tri-state area as "Magic Jim."

Following that, high school students are invited to a Hawaiian luau with music and some surprises.

Fun as all this will be, there is also a serious purpose at work.

The carnival, magic show and luau are all part of the high school’s community support effort called "I Give: New Milford Gives Back."

Originating in the wake of the April 2007 nor’easter when many New Milford families were in urgent need, New Milford High School students and families formed New Milford Gives Back.

That organization, through various fund-raisers, including last year’s carnival, raised more than $17,000, which was distributed to affected families in the form of Home Depot gift cards, and to equipment for the borough’s emergency services personnel.

That effort raised student awareness of the needs of others in the world around them.

"New Milford is a giving, caring community," said New Milford High School Principal Eric Sheninger, "and the students reflect that quality."

"It was a very easy decision to expand the mission from helping with the immediate crisis to support of New Milford in general," he said.

All proceeds will be donated to programs within the local community, including assistance to the family of Lauren Savino, a New Milford High School junior facing a severe health crisis.

Carnival tickets will be $20 for an arm’s length; the magic show is $5; and the luau is $5 for students. Families are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or a blanket for their comfort.

For more information, e-mail at ctambuscio@newmilfordschools.org or call 201-261-0172, etc. 2104.