Rides, games, food and prizes are some of the attractions featured this weekend as ERA Worldwide Realtors & Associates sponsors a carnival to benefit the families of slain deputies.     Money raised at the carnival will go toward the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department relief fund and the SCV-Newhall Optimist Club, a service club that focuses on the needs of underpriveleged children.
    “I’m just astounded at how generous everyone’s been,” ERA Realtor Arlene Carstens said of the donations for the carnival.
    To help raise money, a plethora of prizes will be awarded at the charity event. “We’ll be drawing prizes almost hourly,” Carstens said.
    Charter Funding Banker donated the grand prize, a 52-inch television. Other contributors include The Newhall Land and Farming Co., The Elephant Bar, ITCS Escrow, Vons and Trader Joe’s.
    “Trader Joe’s donated a bag of goodies so big I almost fell down carrying it,” Carstens said, laughing.
    “We all worked tirelessly,” Carstens added. “But it’s worth it; it was for charity.”
    The sheriff’s relief fund helps cover funeral costs, medical costs or special needs for the families of deputies killed in the line of duty.
    The carnival runs from noon until 10 p.m. today through Sunday at the Saugus Speedway.