The 74th annual Rolla Lions Club Carnival begins today and runs through Saturday. Brian Dean, the chairman of the  Carnival Committee has been on the committee for the last four years, something all committee members do when they join. Dean spoke with The Rolla Daily News  about the effort and time that goes into planning the event.

Q: How long does it take to plan out the carnival?
A: Usually, we get together about a month after the Carnival and discuss things that need to be done for the next year, make notes and then get together right after the first of the year to start making plans for that year's Carnival. We have been doing this for 74, years, so it is pretty much lined out except for  little changes each year. In total, it takes about five to six months.

Q: Does every Lions Club member have an assignment?
A: Yes, they do. The Carnival Committee assigns each member to a stand and puts one member in charge of getting it set up, running it for the entire Carnival and to get  volunteers, because the members of  Rolla Lions Club could not run the Carnival without its great volunteers each year.

Q: What is the best part of the Carnival planning?
A: The best part of planning the Carnival is the end result of what we do with the money raised. The up-keep of our park, helping the community with hearing or eye glasses. For instance, today, I had my Lions shirt on and a young man came up to me and said we helped him get glasses so he could see better.

Q: Are committee members ever stressed about the planning?
A: Not at all, we are only planning the clubs' biggest fundraiser of the year. I know I have had a few sleepless nights. I know that my committee members have had sleepless nights. I start thinking, ‘did I get this done’ or ‘did I get that done’ and the next thing you know the sun is up and you've lost another night. This didn’t start for me until June when I knew the Carnival was coming, but I have a saying, 'It's going to happen, and everything will fall into place.'

Q: What should people who have never been to the Carnival to expect?
A: Great rides, good food and fun games for all ages! Hope to see you all there.