Hundreds Gather at Crescentview Fun Fair

École Crescentview School in Portage la Prairie's calling yesterday's Fun Fair a success. The event aims to raise funds for the school's Home and School Committee, with the money going towards swim and skate programs, or other initiatives at the school. The Fun Fairs were started in the early 1990s, as a way to raise funds for a play structure, and have carried on on a staggered basis to help support the committee's work. Retired teacher Vicki Hooke was one of the teachers to start the original Fun Fairs, and says they were excited to see about 500 people show up for yesterday's event.

"It's really, really overwhelming to see parents, grandparents, retired teachers, and students who were in school when we did them before, and now they're here with their kids. It's absolutely awesome."

Fun Fair Co-chair Lori Mackedenski was also thrilled with the turnout, noting it's exciting to see the community continue to support the initiative. She says while the fair is primarily a fundraiser, it's much more than that for the parents with children at the school.

"It's also a fun chance for parents to get together. You'll notice more than anything people are having a chance to sit and visit, which is really awesome. That's what we like to have." 

Karen Moar was at the event with her children, but was also one of the students to attend the first Fun Fairs in the early '90s. She says it's great to see the event continue to succeed, adding it's wonderful to be able to share the experience with her family.

"I think it's great for our school community, the parents and kids who live in this area. It's a great school event. It's special to be able to share that experience and that tradition with my own kids."

The event featured food, games, and other entertainment both outside and inside the school, and organizers were thrilled to see the rain hold off during the event.