Silly String, food, games and a bountiful raffle are all coming up as part of this year’s St. John’s Episcopal School Kooky Karnival.
The event will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday in Barns D and E at the Ector County Coliseum, Carnival Chair Rebecca Grisham said.
Grisham is also on the school board for St. John’s.
A hayride that they call the train, a rock wall, bouncers, a food booth with Jersey Girl pizza this year, a cakewalk, which is always very popular, glitter tattoos and crazy hairspray are just a few of this year’s activities.
The pizza will be made on site.
“I think a very popular one that we have is Ghostly Grocery, because they get to get all those little Halloween trinkets and treasures,” Head of School Heather Kirk said.
Glow sticks, disappearing ink, slime and Silly String Alley also will be featured, Grisham said.
Silly String Alley is Kirk’s favorite.
“That’s my favorite. I love Silly String Alley,” Kirk said.
They had Silly Stringed a teacher on Oct. 20.
“Her class sold the most tickets for that week,” Kirk said. “Each week we have a competition between the teachers of the classes who sells the most Kooky Karnival tickets. She chose to be Silly Stringed. Tuesday (Oct. 25) we’re going to water balloon a teacher. They get to choose. She said I didn’t think I’d win. And then one group is going to wear pink, fuzzy bunny slippers.”
This gives students the incentive to sell more tickets than the other classes.
“Their teachers are such good sports about it,” Grisham said.
A pep rally was held Thursday.
“Another thing is if we sell $63,000 worth of Kooky Karnival raffle tickets, I will kiss a pig,” Kirk said.
Kirk’s brother in law in Lamesa raises pigs, so she was going to travel there and take a photo with one of them.
“The kids are so excited,” Kirk said.
Funds from the Karnival go toward classroom enrichment and some technology.
They evaluate how much they have and then figure out what project to tackle next.
“The project that we’re about to tackle with last year’s money is the playground. We’re getting rid of the black rubber and putting the Astroturf and padding down. That is the biggest thing that we’re doing and security,” Kirk said.
Kirk said a Texas Ranger gave them a good report.
“But there are always things because our society is just constantly changing,” Kirk said.
Kirk said they were just shy of their goal last year, but thinks they will reach it this year.
“I think there’s an excitement with the students. They’re telling their parents. They’re talking it up, so I really hope we do. I feel confident and we’re going to continue to sell raffle tickets at Kooky Karnival. They will be available for purchase. They’re only $2 and we have some great prizes,” Kirk said.
Grisham said there is a Traeger grill and a lifetime hunting and fishing license, which is worth $1,800.
“We have a Louis Vuitton purse,” Grisham said.
There is a $500 grocery gift card for Market Street, a $1,500 Visa gift card, a $500 gift card to the Marriott Hotel, a $500 Southwest gift card and a $500 Best Buy gift card.
They will accept cash, credit cards and there will be an ATM.
Grisham said things feel more normal this year in the wake of the pandemic. Last year, people were concerned about COVID, the restrictions and precautions.
“I don’t think I’ve heard one person make a comment about COVID,” Grisham said.
“We’re able to do things and allow parents in more,” Kirk added.
They were able to have parents at the pep rally this year.
“It’s a big deal and they work hard selling those tickets. The children receive prizes. Their names go into a drawing and those who sell the most tickets get a pretty big gift card,” Kirk said.
Kirk added that Grisham has been a “godsend,” making everything run smoothly. She said it’s also more streamlined.
“She’s been very organized,” Kirk said.
