To commemorate the launch of its new year-round cruise program from Charleston in May, Carnival Cruise Lines will sponsor a gigantic inflatable slide at the Cooper River Bridge Run Finish Festival in Charleston on Saturday, March 27. 

The 40-foot-high slide is the largest outdoor attraction ever featured at this event and Carnival will donate $1 to the MUSC Children’s Hospital for each rider, with a total donation of up to $5,000.

Jumbo-sized slides are a signature element of Carnival’s “Fun Ships” and the cruise line is bringing its own version of this fun attraction to the Cooper River Bridge Run Finish Festival.  One of the largest foot races in the country, the Bridge Run expects 40,000 participants and another 20,000 spectators this year. 

The slide is designed to promote the first year-round cruise program from Charleston introduced by the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy beginning May 18. 

Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day Bahamas/Key West cruises from Charleston, carrying an estimated 140,000 passengers annually from the port.

For additional information on the Cooper River Bridge Run visit www.bridgerun.com.  Additional information on Carnival’s Charleston-based cruises is available at www.carnival.com/charleston.