Spring Fair Fun At Local Elementary Schools

By Jeff White

Though the weather seemed a dreary shade of winter, two Newtown elementary schools this past Saturday put on their annual spring fairs.

The distinct smell of charcoal grills laced the air outside Sandy Hook and Middle Gate schools, as hundreds of families were eager to get out of their homes and support their children’s school.

At Sandy Hook, the annual Jolly Green Giant Fair, one of the school’s largest fund-raisers, once again went off as a tremendous success. This year’s giant, sixth grader Christine Dougherty, carried on the tradition of greeting each fairgoer by painting a green dot smack on the tips of their noses.

The giant wasn’t the only one doing the painting; a serpentine line snaked down the school’s halls as students waited for the chance to get their faces painted.

In the light rain outside, students risked slippery surfaces on the moon bounce, as well as a large pen where soccer balls careen off inflated sides.

The school’s cafeteria was packed with football and horseshoe tosses, as well a long line for whatever body deemed the best part of the event: the cotton candy. Of course, there also was a considerable line for burgers and hotdogs, served up by Principal Donna Pagé and Joanne Didonato. 

Sandy Hook student David Manbille said he had been looking forward to the afternoon for most of the school year. He has a proven track record of Jolly Green Giant attendance: Saturday was his sixth fair. “I’ve been coming because it’s fun. I’ve been looking forward to this all year.”

Equally enthusiastic was the crowd coursing through Middle Gate’s hallways. The school gymnasium was (replete) with a cakewalk, space shot, golf put and a game of whack-a-walnut.

Middle Gate students also had a chance to bounce off the boredom of a gloomy Saturday in their moon bounce, and flower and clothing sales provided something for parents to peruse.

Throughout the festivities at Middle Gate, second grader Jessica Edwards sat, back against the wall, picking sticky cotton candy off of her smiling face. Asked what the best part of the Rainbow Spring Fair was, she answered, “The blue mats in the maze.” She also confided, like other students, she had been looking forward to the event since waking up in the morning.

Both events drew large crowds, and although weather required much of the festivities to be held indoors, the feeling of school community at both fairs was enough to brighten the day.