The Fun Fair

Every year our elementary school holds a "Fun Fair."  We always make a few donations, but oddly enough, something always comes up and we aren't able to go; not that I'm complaining.  Most school fairs, carnivals, etc. are overcrowded madhouses that leave parents frazzled and kids disappointed.

This year, I wasn't planning on making any special effort to go to the Fun Fair, but at the last minute a desperate plea for junior high school volunteers was sent out, so I encouraged Ashley and her friend to volunteer to work a shift.  Basically, she and her friend manned a carnival game for a few hours and gave out prizes.  In turn, they were given a free lunch and punch card to play the games after their shift.

Of course, since Ashley was there, I took Paige over to play.  It was crowded but not overcrowded.  The teachers graciously push all their classroom furniture to the side and allow the games to be set up in the classrooms which really helps with flow of people.  Usually at events like this every activity and every person is stuffed into the gym.  In this case, the gym which is huge at our school (double courts) was reserved for concessions and inflatable jump houses.

I was also pleasantly surprised at the reasonable prices of all the activities.  It is a PTA fundraiser but I didn't feel like I was getting nickeled-and-dimed.  For about $10 Paige got to play all the games, jump on inflatables eat lunch and cotton candy, get a "rock star" hair-do from the local kids hair salon, and leave with some decent prizes.

Needless to say the kids had tons of fun.  Now, I kind of feel bad for not going the past two years.  (I'm also convinced that the parent volunteer who organizes this thing is a saint!)