Shawmont Students Enjoy Annual Fair

After working hard all year, Shawmont Elementary School students were treated to fun, games and carnival fare during its annual fair Friday. 

"They've done good all year and this is just a chance for them to have some fun and be kids," Michelle Havens, co-president of the Home and School Association and coordinator of the event, said. 

Although the event raises some money for school programs, former HSA President Harry Levant said the goal of the annual event is not fundraising. Instead, he said, it is simply a fun day for the kids. 

"Everything is very low priced so that even if they only have a dollar, they'll be able to enjoy the whole day," Levant said.

The event, that has been a staple of the school's closing activities for at least a decade, has been in the works since the beginning of the year and, Havens said, is not just for the students. 

 "We know that parents have to work and can't always come to events but because this is planned so early many of them make sure they can take off," she said. "Everyone looks forward to it."

 Some activities included a moon bounce, face painting, sand art and jewelry and picture frame making. A number of carnival games lined the school's lot.

But when asked what her favorite part of the day was, sixth grader Brittney Sedgwick said she couldn't pick just one activity.

"I like all the games," she said, adding that even though she's been to a number of the school fair's over the years, it's something she never gets tired of. 

"It's just a fun day to come out and hang out with your friends," she said, adding that the carnival fare isn't too bad either. 

It seems Sedgwick isn't the only one who can't decided which part is her favorite. 

"If you ask 20 kids that question you're going to get 20 different answers," Havers said. "They just seem to like the entire thing."