Volunteers still needed for Fall Fest
ThenewlyexpandedFall Fest is just over a week away and volunteers are still needed to operate all of the booths for the full length of the event.
The Fest is set for Saturday, Nov. 4 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m., featuring food, game booths, bingo, and the addition this year of carnival rides.
Tickets will be available at the ticket booth on the north side of the campus near the small playground as in the past.
All tickets will cost 50 cents each or in strips of 10 for $5. An unlimited pass bracelet can be purchased for $50 and entitles the wearer to unlimited booth games, kids bingo, and carnival rides, as well as two drinks and two snacks at the snack booth.
Tickets will not be accepted in the cafeteria, but cash and Venmo will be taken.
Adult bingo has been moved to the newly remodeled library from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., with cards available using five tickets or purchased for $2.50 each using cash or Venmo, new this year in the bingo hall.
Kids bingo will be held for an hour-long period starting at 4:00 p.m., also in the library.
A total of three carnival rides will be set up, with the stipulation that riders cannot be wearing costumes duetosafetyconcerns.Each ride will cost five tickets per admission.
There will not be a costume contest at Fall Fest this year. Parents can dress up children, but they will not be allowed on the carnival rides in costume. The rides will be set up in the teachers parking lot on thenorthsideofthecampus where game booths were previously located.
Winners from the game boothswillreceiveseparate winner’s tickets that are a different color to trade for prizesdisplayedinthegym.
Each booth game will require two tickets to play.
The cafeteria will begin serving at 4:30 p.m. and continue until 7:30 p.m. There is an updated menu thisyearincludinghotdogs, nachos, frito pies, chicken strips, baked potatoes, and chili, along with desserts and drinks.
The cake walk is moving indoors to the cafeteria stage this year since there is not a costume contest.
Game booths presented by each class will be located inthecourtyardoutsidethe cafeteria, with two tickets needed for each try.
“We are still needing many volunteers to sign up to work the booths,” PTOpresidentRaganRiley said. “We are counting on a parent working a one-hour shift for each child they have in school. If we don’t get enough parents for a particular booth, it will just havetobeshutdownforany unmannedshifts,whichwe really don’t want to do.”
Parents and community volunteers are also needed to help man the cafeteria and other events not sponsored by a particular class.
“We are in desperate need of cafeteria workers,” Riley said. “We still need four workers for the 5:30 p.m. shift, five for the 6:30 p.m. shift, and three at 7:30 p.m.”
While the 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. shifts for class booths are covered, there are several either not covered or only partially covered for the 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shifts.
Alist to sign up is located on the PTO Facebook page.
Unrelated to the cafeteria, school personnel will be manning a snack booth providing water, cold drinks, popcorn, and cotton candy. There will also be “glow” merchandise such as swords, crowns, bracelets, and necklaces for sale. The snack booth will accept cash, tickets, or the wristband as payment.
“We are still don’t have the number of volunteers needed to run a successful Fall Fest, and we are down to the last week,” Riley said this week. “We are asking that anyone willing to help sign up on our Facebook page.”
Riley urged anyone wishing to donate prizes for bingo, donate money, or volunteer to contact her at 214-663-3271, using a text message or phone call.
“It will be faster to reach me during the day by texting,” she said. “I’m usually not available to speak by phoneduringtheworkday.”
All proceeds from the Fall Fest will be used to fund PTO scholarships given at graduation and to provide school supplies for elementary students. This was the first year that students were not required to bring supplies at the start ofclassesthankstothenew PTO project that provided all general supplies for gradespre-Kthroughsixth.
“We are so thankful for everyone who has donated so far,” Riley said. “We are still taking monetary donations and bingo prizes.”
Monetary contributions can be mailed to Albany PTO, PO Box 2241,Albany, TX 76430.
