As the first chill winds of autumn blew, Washington Market Park was turned into a mini-carnival with games, cotton candy and a concert to raise money for the park’s kids’ programming.

For the families who romp there daily for free, it was time to pay something back. “We’ve spent a lot of time in the park,” said Joan Bankemper. “I like to support it.”

For the kids, it was just time to have fun. Sophie Frances, 5, said she liked a fishing game the best. Krysia Johnson, 13, spent the afternoon getting hit in the face with whipped cream pies. “It was fun,” she said, wiping the white streaks from her hair, “but it’s really gross and sticky.”

The highlight of the festival was a performance by