Students enjoy new additions to annual festival

By Diana Cox

Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008 | midnight

Students at Aggie Roberts Elementary School celebrated Halloween a little early.

Children dressed as Spiderman, skeletons, Cinderella, Marilyn Monroe and many other characters played games, carved pumpkins and walked the cake-walk during the early evening hours Friday.

PTA Vice President Paula Rubley said the Harvest Festival at Aggie Roberts is the biggest event of the year.

"The goal is not to earn money or anything like that," she said. "The goal is to have fun."

First grade teacher Laurie Rice handed out Nerf balls to be thrown through a cut-out. The students got a prize whether they made it in the hole or not.

"It's fun to see the kids in costume," she said.

The Harvest Festival has been an annual tradition at Aggie Roberts since the school opened 12 years ago. New elements were added to the festival this year. Vendors bought table spaces to sell their wares and donated items for an auction.

Parent Kerri Galvin gave away free samples at her table from her massage therapy clinic.

"It's a good way to help out the school and help out my business," she said.

Principal Susan Karout said this year, the PTA decided to add a new element to the festival: Besides the usual games and candy, students and their parents made Halloween picture frames, bookmarks and decorations. There was also a pumpkin-carving contest.

Past students of Aggie Roberts also showed up after they received permission to help out with the activities.

"This is just a night where families can come together and have a good time," Karout said.

Once the festival was busy with students and families, the parade of costumes commenced. Students lined up by grade and made a circle around the playground to show off their costumes. Parents cheered and snapped photos while a DJ announced each class by grade.

At the end, winners from each class received a Halloween cup full of candy for scariest, most original and best costumes.

Second grader Charlie Anzaldo chose not to wear a costume but said he was glad his school had the festival. His sister Stella, a kindergartener, came dressed as Cinderella and nearly made a hole-in-one at the miniature golf game. Both snacked on popcorn and showed off their prizes.

"This is a good way to get them out and active in a safe environment," teacher Linda Shepardson said.

Zoe Dockery said she was excited to go to the Mad Scientist Lab, where students could mix potions and watch them bubble over the beakers.

"I like scary things," said the first grader, who was dressed up as a skeleton.