Zainab Al-Mehdar

Shawville May 19, 2022

With a lot of planning the Home and School Committee for McDowell Elementary School put on their first in-person spring fair since the pandemic hit in 2019.

It is the biggest fundraiser they hold along with a Facebook auction to . . .

help raise funds that are used to supply things for the elementary school. It will allow them to get new supplies, beautify the yard and add things like picnic tables and a play structure for the kids.

There are about 10 parents who helped organize and put together the fair, and 25 volunteers. There were different stations and different activities for kids to enjoy. There were animals, a bouncy castle, a Bristol firetruck, the Lion’s club were offsite barbequing, and teachers at different stations face painting and holding other activities.

“We were afraid the weather wasn’t gonna be on our side. So it looks like the weather is holding off so it’s great,” said Rebecca Corrigan one of the parents on the committee.

But she highlighted that it’s an event the community looks forward to and if it hadn’t been for the pandemic this would have been the 10th year, as it is an annual event.

The auction alone which began a month ago brought in just over $8000, it included 120 items made by the students and others donated by local businesses, she said.

“It was exciting being able to go out and be around people and just having events again,” said Corrigan.