There will be face-painters, bounce houses, cotton candy, a disc jockey, dunk tanks and other carnival-related activities. And all of these activities are meant to signal the start of the Cal State Stanislaus men’s soccer season? Yes.

But they come with good reason. They’re all a part of the annual Kickoff Carnival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 21 at Warrior Stadium — as the public event is in cooperation with the City of Turlock Parks and Recreation Department, the Warriors and the Turlock Youth Soccer Association, which is expected to have its 2,000 members in attendance.

Admission is free with a canned food donation that will benefit food banks in the Turlock area.

It’s not just about carnival entertainment.

There also will be coaching clinics put on by Warriors coach Dana Taylor, who’s been helping with organizing this year’s event all summer.

“This is a great opportunity for Cal State Stanislaus and our community to have a fun-filled day here at Warrior Stadium,” he said. “We are looking forward to this relationship with TYSA and the city as we work together to promote soccer in our area.”

He and his players are preparing for the upcoming season, as the team’s first practice will be Aug. 16. The 2010 season begins Sept. 4 at 4:30 p.m. with a nonconference match against Western Washington at Warrior Stadium — which is in its second year of operation and the host site of the California Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships in November — as part of the Warriors’ 11-match home schedule.