The sights, sounds, smells and smiles will be on display Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, Oct. 6-8, when St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish and School in downtown Los Gatos holds its annual Country Fair.
The 55th edition – amusements, rides, games, entertainment, food and drinks – promises the same action-packed young-adult and family-friendly attractions that make this fair both an unmissable and unmistakable part of early autumn in downtown Los Gatos.
“This is a time when we mix and meld with both our school and parish community, and the greater Los Gatos neighborhood,” said Mrs. Monica Hernandez, the school principal who has been part of six fairs as head of school, and 12 more before as an elementary school teacher.
Find out what's happening in Los Gatosfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We’re well into our school year, but the Country Fair team – and it is a team effort – is at work months in advance. We’re so grateful to our school and parish community, to the alumni who return, and most especially to the volunteers and sponsors who make this event possible.
“I think the energy, unmistakable sounds of laughter and, yes, a few thrilling screams courtesy of the ever-popular “Rock Star” and “Gravitron” rides are actually our best advertisement. If you’re walking downtown on Friday evening, Saturday or Sunday, or are within an eight-block radius of our school, those sounds are all the welcome you and your family need.”
Find out what's happening in Los Gatosfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Mrs. Hernandez also said there are dimensions to the Fair that are less well known, but integral to its fund-raising success. The school hosts a Harvest Market on Thursday, Oct. 5, in the school’s gymnasium. It features the sale of apparel, jewelry, handbags, gourmet gifts and home and garden items. Admission is free from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sip & Shop admission is from 5 to 9 p.m. and is $20. All proceeds benefit St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish and School.
The volunteers, drawn from both the school and parish, dedicate hours of preparation and on-site duty. The fair’s co-chairs, Nicole Posner and Elyse Sammut, are the key point people in ensuring an experience that has proven a memory-making hallmark that is part of the St. Mary experience for students and families, Mrs. Hernandez said.
