Planning a winter carnival is a lot of work. Just ask the parents and teachers at Hillside Elementary School, they have planned three of them, the third of which is on Feb. 25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
"It takes a lot of planning. It involves teachers, staff, parents, students, alumni and a lot of business who donate a lot of services," said Lisa Taylor, the president of Hillside's Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO).
The carnival, which was first held in 2000, is the biggest fund-raising event of the year for the PTO. This year the event will be delivering up the same fun and excitement it has in the past. There will be more than 30 games and activities including things like a cupcake walk and a lobster box.
"We'll have a magician who teaches the magic tricks and shows how they involve science," said Taylor.
Also at the fair will be "Music Together" a program that celebrates family music through song, movement, dance and the playing of instruments.
In previous years the event has raised $9,000 and $10,000 respectively for the school.
"It started because we needed to raise money for the playground. The money for the 2004 carnival went to finishing the playground," said Taylor, "This year we budgeted for raising $10,000 again."
Taylor said that the PTO is thinking of using the money in multiple areas like murals for the school or supplementing the reading committee's book supply.