By ROBERT LINNEHAN
In an effort to support more technology in the classrooms and in the school district, the Osage Parent and Faculty group is hosting its annual Fall Festival later in the month to help raise support the local elementary school and its dedication to providing cutting edge products to its students.
John Ciocca, president of the OPF, said the festival has been held for the past 10 years and brings in about $3,000 to $4,000 a year for the elementary school.
The Fall Festival and Craft Show will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Osage Elementary School’s gymnasium and all purpose room.
The event is free to attend and there is plenty of onsite parking at the school.
Over 50 vendors have already signed up for the event, Ciocca said, and more are expected before the date.
There will also be several food vendors selling hotdogs, candy, pretzels, all sorts of traditional festival food for visitors, he said.
“The vendors will be at the event and will be selling their different crafts and holiday items to visitors at the festival,” Ciocca said. “Several vendors will also be selling sports memorabilia as well.”
The festival will also include face painting, pumpkin painting, and fall activities for the local children.
Visitors can also take fall themed photos and pictures with their friends, Ciocca said.
Visitors can also sign up for holiday oriented prizes and raffle baskets.
The teachers from the elementary school volunteered to put together and create the raffle baskets for the festival this year, Ciocca said.
A book sale is also being hosted at the festival. Children can bring their used and new books to trade with their friends and also purchase new books from Scholastic Books.
Proceeds from the event will go toward supporting programming from the OPF.
In the past, Ciocca said most of the festival funding has gone toward purchasing new educational technology products for the elementary students, including the Smart Boards that are currently located in each classroom.
“The admission is free. People can just stop by, take a look around.
“Most of the events for the children are free as well, but there are a few events that cost money as well,” he said. “Come by and support the school.”
The festival also needs volunteers to help set up the night before, Ciocca said.
To sign up to volunteer for Friday, Oct. 22 interested volunteers can call Ciocca at 206–2849 or send him an email at ciocca@voorhees.k12.nj.us.
