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Family Fun For All At Manchester Elementary's Fun Fair
By Kim Fink
 | | --Photo By Kim Fink Children had a blast at this year's "Fun Fair," held at Manchester Township Elementary School on Saturday. |
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Dressed in their warmest winter attire, children of all ages raced through the doors of Manchester Township Elementary School at 9 a.m. Saturday morning bubbling with excitement in anticipation of this year's Family Fun Fair.
"They should be so excited to get here on a school day," joked one faculty member as she scurried to help the children purchase tickets they could use toward games and activities.
The Fun Fair, which is organized and run by the school's staff and committee members, is an event that draws a huge crowd every year.
"We always try to make it enjoyable for everyone. So far, everyone seems to be having a very good time. It's just fun for us and fun for the families. We love this event," said Ridgeway School Vice Principal Robert Bittner. "Each year, we alternate schools and the faculty from both (Ridgeway and MTES) come together and really work as a team."
The day consisted of boardwalk style games, craft activities, face painting and even an inflatable trampoline. The bake sale took over an entire hallway of the school. There, visitors could purchase goodies for as little as a quarter.
"There has to be 300 different kinds of treats. I just bought a half a pound cake, a tray of brownies and six cupcakes for $2," said Megan Handlers of Manchester. "You can't beat that! My kids are going crazy."
The four-hour event brought families together from all over Manchester and Whiting, as children dashed from classroom to classroom enjoying the various games and projects.
Third grader Brooke Leiser, who attended the event with her mother, Dawn, and her friend, Hailey, said her favorite part was the games.
"We both won a gold fish so that was really cool," she said.
Other prizes included hermit crabs, necklaces, candy and school supplies.
Upstairs, in the Art Department, children could participate in any number of art activities including painting and spin art. There was also an art show where parents could purchase professionally framed drawings their children created in art class. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the art helped to support school programs and keep art alive in the district.
Most faculty members helped out by manning game stands or collecting tickets, but a few brave souls joined in on the fun in other ways. Dr. Frances Scudese, principal of MTES, took her turn at the pie booth where students took their best shot at throwing shaving cream pies at the much-loved principal.
"It's all in good fun," laughed good sport Scudese, as she ended her term with a smile. "Fun, fun, fun"
Keli Velardo, special education teacher at MTES, spent her day at the "Nail Center," giving mini manicures to little girls as young as 2 years old.
"It was a good day. Everyone enjoyed themselves," Velardo said. "The physical education teachers do a lot of the work. They organize the activities and work on the scheduling. They deserve a lot of the credit."
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