Carnival Draws Hundreds to Raise Funds for School

So many things to do and only four hours to do it!

A plethora of activities awaited the hundreds of visitors that filled the schoolyard at the 18^th annual Peach Hill Academy Spring Carnival, a fund-raising event sponsored by the Peach Hill PTA held on Friday afternoon.

Melissa Lamoureaux, the carnival’s chairperson, said she was amazed at the selfless volunteer efforts from the school’s families.

“All of the Peach Hill families pitched in to make this happen,” said Lamoureaux. “It was literally a 24-hour process for everyone.”

The carnival is the school’s biggest fundraiser of the year and according to Lamoureaux, the proceeds pay for the art teacher, computer lab instructor and half the librarian’s salaries.

”With the budget cuts, these positions would not exist but for the money raised at this event, and we absolutely don’t want to lose them,” said Lamoureaux. “The money also goes for numerous other items such as assemblies and sports equipment.”

Students, parents, grandparents and neighbors poured through the schoolyard gates during the four-hour festival and faced the daunting challenge of fitting it all in.

“We are offering so many activities here today,” Lamoureaux touted proudly.

She was right. The list of activities was long. From food booths offering kettle corn and barbeque tri-tip to game booths galore, there was no lack of fun to be had.

Kyle Muniz, 7, a first grader at Peach Hill Academy, knew exactly what his favorite part was.

“I like the games the best . . . all of them,” he said.

Game booth favorites included Steal the Bacon, Tin Can Alley, Fear Factor, Bean Bag Toss, and Fish Toss.

But the fun didn’t stop there. There was face painting, storytelling, a DJ, a cakewalk, firefighters with their fire truck, a sheriff’s canine unit, a live and silent auction, a raffle drawing and live entertainment.

Even Rapunzel (Morgan Gannes) made a showing. She delighted the kids with a story reading from the book “Tangled.”

Who else made a showing? The Mesa Verde Jazz Band who entertained the crowd with terrific live music while performing from center stage.

Incentives were given for Peach Hill students to sell raffle tickets for the big drawing that included a $1,000 American Express gift card and a Disneyland passport and the student who sold the most tickets was rewarded with a grand prize.

“One of our first graders sold the most raffle tickets,” Lamoureaux stated. “And he received a big basket that included a $100 Target gift card and $100 worth of age-appropriate toys.”

Hats off to a terrific event with exceptional kid fun and a worthy cause.