The Colfax World Fair Starts Gearing Up for the Big Day on June 2nd

The Colfax World Fair is arguably the biggest event in Valley Village, and committee heads are gearing up for the big day, which takes place this year on Saturday, June 2nd. 

For the few area residents who are unfamiliar with the fair, this is a fundraiser for Colfax Charter Elementary School, which is a California Distinguished School with an impressive 2011 API score of 910. In the past few years it has become a highly sought after public school known for its diversity, focus on arts, technology and green living, and active parent base.

The fair is held on the first Saturday in June from 12 noon til 7:00 pm and admission is free. Due to LAUSD restrictions against having rides with moving parts, the school grounds are instead filled with a huge assortment of inflatables, including Slidasaurus - an 85-foot dinosaur slide, and Adrenaline Extreme, which is an 1,850 square foot obstacle course. Morella Avenue, the adjacent street to the west, is closed off for the day and is transformed into Morella Water Park featuring a variety of water attractions. The fair is host to two food courts, a massive stage with live music throughout the day, and Colfax’s famous silent auction with hundreds of items to bid on.

Last year’s Toddler Town was a tremendous success, featuring attractions for babies and toddlers and My Gym instructors who lead children in dances and games. The tech game areas are big attractions for the teens, and there are booths where guests can silkscreen their own shirts and create a variety of arts & crafts. The fair also hosts Art by Karina – the best face painting in the southland, and hair creations by Jennifer Ellenberg from Studio City’s popular Suburbia Salon. Party Creations will again have their puppet characters strolling the grounds and posing for photos, and Party Decorations ‘R’ Us will create a festive atmosphere with amazing balloon arches and have individual balloons for sale.

It takes hundreds of volunteers for the fair to take place. Most are parents who sign up with the “Give Your 3 for Colfax” campaign in which they are asked to volunteer for 3 hours during the fair or to help with set up or break down. Other volunteers include alumni who now attend middle or high schools, particularly students from nearby Walter Reed Middle School. Various community leaders also volunteer, including those from Neighborhood Council Valley Village, Valley Village Homeowners Association, and the Toluca Lake Lions Club.

Colfax is seeking more volunteers, and it provides letters for students who need community services hours. Volunteers are also needed in the planning stages and to distribute flyers and posters to local businesses. Those interested in volunteering in any capacity are encouraged to contact Jamie Garson at jamiegarson@att.net or Cathy Fromkin at cfromkin@sbcglobal.net.

Colfax is well known for its huge silent auction. Unlike many private schools, it is not a requirement for families to provide their own silent auction donations so most gifts come from local businesses. In particular, they are looking for donations from restaurants, vacation getaways, spas, and other services. To donate to Colfax’s silent auction, please contact Tracy Ostermann at trileydesign@yahoo.com or Sam Fisher at samdfisher@gmail.com.

Some businesses may prefer to help the school in a bigger way by becoming community sponsors. Silver, Gold and Platinum Sponsorships cost $350, $600, and $1200 respectively and all include a fair stage banner and a page in the Colfax 411 Directory/Yellow Pages. Gold Sponsorships receive a 3 foot by 3 foot banner posted year-round on Colfax Avenue and promotion on Colfax’s website and Facebook page. Platinum Sponsorship gain even more promotion through the Colfax Digital Suite package, flyers in every student’s backpack, and even more advertising during the fair through an automatic booth sponsorship and company logo on the fair’s main stage banner. Sponsorships are a great tax write off, and businesses have the reward of knowing that their dollars have helped their local public school. Colfax families become loyal customers of the businesses that support their school.

For information on becoming a community sponsor, contact Denise Rowe at deniserowe@sbcglobal.net or Abbe Murray-Coté at abbem@me.com.