PHOTO GALLERY: Fall Fun At Foster Fair

A large Hingham crowd came to support the annual Fall Fair at on Saturday.

With the sun shining down, children, parents, and over 150 volunteers and supporters of the school made the most of the activities on offer.

There was the usual array of inflatable fun for the kids to play on, pumpkin painting, bowling and a speed-measured baseball pitch. However, most children were drawn to the two large rubber balls, known by some as Zorbs,  with a constant line waiting for the chance to run across the grass in a see-through inflatable sphere. 

Foster student Jack Maurer, age 6, loved the ball so much that he wanted to go on it again as soon as he tumbled out of it.

"I enjoyed being a hamster," he said. "But I fell down a lot."

For those who prefer to shop rather than impersonate a gerbil, 168 local corporate donors had provided a variety of experiences and prizes for the silent auction, which has traditionally been an excellent source of fundraising for the event.

Marquee prizes included signed sporting memorabillia, vouchers for local restaurants, weekend breaks, professional photography shoots and local art. For the sports fans there was the chance to get tickets for the Red Sox, Boston Celtics or the Providence Bruins.

Last year this event raised $15,000 for the school, money which is spent on a variety of projects as all proceeds go directly to the school’s curriculum enrichment programs for student’s school-wide. The money raised helps pay for field trips, author visits, and various in-school activities and presentations. 

The money raised from this year's event has yet to be determined and organizers were hopeful that the total earnings would continue to allow the school to provide the same level of activities for the children.

A constant stream of people wanting to buy tickets for food and fun seemed to be a good sign, but Robin Brooks, Chair of the Fund Raising Committee, was cautious.

"We won't know how much we have raised until we do the figures later this week," Brooks said. However she was pleased at how many people had come out to support the event.

Ray Estes, member of Hingham School Committee, echoed support for the school.

"It's the Foster Fair, it's a tremendous fundraiser," he said.

From the looks of the crowds waiting for the silent auction to close at 2.45 p.m., this was another successful fundraising day for Foster Elementary and one which will allow the school to continue to offer children at the start of their academic career the chance to enjoy a varied and interesting curriculum. 

Check Patch later this week for the total amount raised at this year's event.