Spring Carnival is Coming to Town

For the first time the EPTA of the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns has teamed up with the Pocantico Hills Central School District PTA to put on the Spring Carnival.

The Carnival takes place at this Saturday, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., rain or shine.

It's the third consecutive year Pocantico Hills Central School will host the family-friendly fundraising event, and organizers are pleased that Tarrytown schools will be involved too.

"We're a small school and the equipment we use could really manage double the attendance," said Stefanie Bartell-Zednik, a Pocantico Hills committee chairperson for the event. "We thought it would be great if we with worked with our surrounding towns to put this thing together."

The two associations have shared the workload and expenses of the event; and plan to split the revenue, according to Rachelle Gebler, president of the Tarrytowns' EPTA.

Bartell-Zednik added the Tarrytown EPTA has been especially helpful in garnering more sponsors for this year's carnival, including Sweet Grass Grill, Taste of China and Horseman Restaurant & Pizza.

This year, attendees can expect to see a lot of old favorites, including giant inflatable slides, a bouncy castle, an obstacle course, tons of carnival games with prizes and a dunk booth where students can try to sink their teachers (or brave parents).

New this year is a Velcro wall, where guests of all ages can wear a special suit to bounce and stick against the sticky surface, as well as a candy station where sweets by the pound will be available.

The booths and activities have always been run by volunteers, consisting mostly of parents. This year, several EF students will also be helping out, and will earn community service hours in return.

"We're looking forward to having them at the event as well," said Gebler.

Bartell-Zednik said the Spring Carnival is a great "feel-good event" for students and their families, and the money raised is usually put towards programs or purchases requested by the district.

"They're good about telling us what they would like to purchase," she said, citing the sign in front of the school and a new security system as items funded in the past.

According to Gebler, the money earned for the Tarrytowns will likely be used for in-classroom programs like the annual "Trip Around the World" for first graders, special events like field days and picnics or something for teachers such as appreciation days or mini-grants.

Though the event is new for Tarrytown students, Gebler said the community has been supportive so far and hopes to continue participating in the Spring Carnival for years to come.

"It's been going really smoothly between the two districts," she said. "It's such a great way to bring the two communities together."

Ticket information and further details about the Spring Carnival can be found here. Parents are still needed to volunteer - see here for more information.