Carnival promises fun and food for all ages

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WORTHINGTON — The ninth annual Prairie Elementary Carnival will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the school, offering fun and food for kids and adults of all ages and raising funds for the Prairie Elementary Parent Group’s special projects.

“Even if you don’t go to the school, come out,” said Sue Johnson, chairwoman of the Prairie Elementary Carnival Committee. “It’s good family fun together, and you can spend whatever you want.”

Three inflatables and a wide variety of carnival games run by volunteers will be available, including pick-a-duck and fishing pond games for the very young children and more complex games for older kids. People will be able to purchase tickets for the games and food at the door.

Adults, too, will find plenty to appreciate at the carnival, including a silent auction with items gathered or even created by Prairie Elementary students. Every year, classrooms create themed baskets to auction off. Some classes opt to create art projects, such as flower pots, greeting cards or decorated chairs instead.

“We’re trying to (think) a little more out of the box,” Johnson said. “We also have business donations that we auction off.”

More than $1,700 in prizes will be offered in the carnival’s raffle this year, including an iPod Touch, a Wii, two bicycles, Twins T-shirts and a television.

All funds raised from the carnival go toward the special events, projects and materials the Prairie Elementary Parent Group purchases for students, teachers and classrooms at the school. Past projects have included purchasing iPods and Smart Boards for classrooms and bringing the Earth Balloon to the school.

More than 100 volunteers will help make the carnival happen this year, including 58 high school students and others who don’t belong to the Parent Group.

“We have high school and college students helping out,” Johnson said. “It takes everybody.”

Tags: prairie elementary, news, carnival, worthington, fundraiser, education