Community carnival tradition returns
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Tim Ryckman
Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) again held a decades-long family favorite community event this year, the back-to-school carnival. The carnival is a nod to summer fun as the school year gets underway. Students reunite with friends and burn lots of energy running between events, contests and stations while parents catch up with one another and attempt to keep an eye on their kids spread over the school’s field, playgrounds and blacktop.
This year’s carnival featured bounce houses, balloon splash with teachers, carnival games and prizes, a cake walk, face painting, food trucks, music, raffle prizes and first responders with fire trucks,” according to PTO co-president Laura Mankins. The carnival also added a huge human hamster ball and Nerf paintball-like game.
In true carnival style, students loved trying their hands at drenching teachers and administrators by tossing tennis balls at a target to release the bucket of water over the teacher’s head. Staff came prepared this year with a water gun aimed at the student with a good pitching arm. First grade teacher Jeanetta Byrd wore a pool floaty, goggles and swim cap.
“This year was our best turnout yet, thanks to all the families that came out to support BRE,” said carnival organizer Nicole Miles. Almost 450 tickets were sold for kids to participate in all the events.
