The annual Middle Gate Madness event took over the elementary school's building and its back lot on Friday, May 13.

Middle Gate Elementary School PTA President Debbie DeBlasi said this year's event went "really, really well," despite the rainy weather.

This year's Middle Gate Madness, Ms DeBlasi said, offered many activities, venders and other options for the attending students.

The evening included a sand art activity, activities overseen by Ben's Bells and by EverWonder Children's Museum, a bounce house, live music, demonstrations by jugglers, a dunk tank and a "cake walk."

Inside the school's art room, students were ready to enter in the cake walk contest just as the evening was starting. Similar to musical chairs, students walked from spot to spot on the floor, stopping when the music ended. A cake was won by landing on the specified winning spot, with the winner from each round choosing a cake to take home. All of the cakes were made or purchased by parents.

"No matter where you went, there were kids having fun in all the different sections," said Ms DeBlasi.

Big Boy Roy, a Newtown-Strong Therapy dog, lay on a blanket in an alcove off the main hallway with his handler and Middle Gate reading specialist Andrea Brosnan. Big Boy Roy listened as students took turns reading books to him.

"And he loves to read. Do you love to read?" Ms Brosnan asked one student, who was petting Big Boy Roy behind his left ear.

Ms DeBlasi said she estimates more than 300 people attended the PTA fundraising event.

"I think it was very successful and I think everybody had a good time. That's what it is all about," said Ms DeBlasi.