Buffalo Ridge back-to-school carnival
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Nicole Miles
The annual back-to-school carnival at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) was larger than ever this year. Carnival committee chair Shenah Lutrick and her crew pulled out all the stops to make the carnival a success. They added more inflatable slides, jump house, obstacle courses and additional games, including a cakewalk with treats donated by The Bundt Shoppe. Families enjoyed food trucks featuring gourmet mac’n’cheese, barbecue and Kona Ice. Cotton candy, lemonade and popcorn stations were a hit as well.
The crowd favorite again this year was the dunk tank. Brave teachers and staff volunteered to be dunked by kids with an accurate throw. The school administration also took their turn getting wet, with Principal Jen Murdock-Jacoway (pictured above in the pink tutu) enduring numerous dunks long after the cleanup had begun.
Volunteers from the community stepped up to help make the event a success. Many middle and high school students helped manage games and stations. Parents supervised inflatable play structures, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and its K-9 partners interacted with BRE families and provided a K-9 demonstration. Buffy, the school buffalo mascot gave high fives and hugs to many.
The BRE carnival signals the beginning of a new school year, but also the renewal of friendships for both the students and the adults in attendance. Many families look forward to the event as an opportunity to visit, play and reconnect with others from the BRE family while supporting the school through this fundraiser. Caleb, a BRE student said “I love the carnival because I get to hang out with my friends and have fun doing all the activities. My favorite is human hungry hippos!”
