Hissing Cockroaches Included in Fun Fair Admission

The Greatest Fun Fair on Earth is coming to town.

Friends of the Huntley District 158 Education Foundation are hosting the fun fair from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 6, at Marlowe Middle School, 9625 Haligus Road.

This event will be more than just your ordinary fun fair, co-organizer Linda Lipse said.

There will of course be fun carnival games, big prizes to win and tasty food to eat.

But there also will be a live animal show featuring hissing cockroaches and a 120-pound python included in your admission price.

You’ll also get to see some of your favorite District 158 teachers and principals running the games and handing out the prizes.

And best of all, the students in District 158 will benefit from the event, they say.

"The community can expect an affordable evening out for the family that will allow them to continue to impact the community through their participation by supporting the Education Foundation,” Lipse said. “It is all about joining together to help one another out while making fun a priority.”

For $5 per person, attendees will get tickets for eight designated games, popcorn and a chance to win a raffle prize.

There also will be additional game tickets on sale at the event for 50 cents each.

Organizers have been busy hand-building and creating more than 20 elaborately, themed games for the event, including such favorites at Bozo buckets and a lollipop tree, as well as fun games including Plinko and spin the Wizard wheel.

They say you’ll want to come hungry to the event too, as they’ll have all of your favorite carnival-themed foods, including hotdogs, cotton candy and slushies.

And don’t forget your cameras, because the animal show is hands-on, and participants can take their picture with their favorite reptiles.

The fun fair is geared toward everyone from toddlers on up.

“Attending the fun fair will be a fun, family activity and an affordable way to show support for the entire community of District 158,” Education Foundation Vice President Emily McMahon said. “This isn’t an event for just one school, but for families in the area and at all of the schools. Everyone who attends will have a great time.”

Attendees also will be helping a good cause, she added.

The profits from the fun fair will go to the Education Foundation, which awards grants to help enhance education in the District 158 schools, and which awards scholarships to graduating seniors each year at Huntley High School.

This year, the Foundation is awarding $9,000 in scholarships to seniors, and has funded more than $8,000 in classroom grants.

To fund the programs, the Foundation hosts events such as the Fun Fair, the Breakfast with Santa and an upcoming Ravinia Night at Culver’s in Huntley on May 3.

To purchase a punch pass to the fun fair, go to the Foundation’s website at www.district158.org/education-foundation, email d158foundation@comcast.net, or contact organizers Tami Buczkiewicz at (224) 569-6284 or Linda Lipse at (630) 728-4700.

How you can help: Come out to support the fun fair by having fun with your kids.

Or, the fun fair organizers are looking for volunteers who’d love to work at the event. If you can help, email d158foundation@comcast.net. They have three shifts available.