A walkathon, ‘trunk-or-treat’ and carnival games make this event one-of-a-kind.
On Friday, Oct. 21, Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Berlin, Md. will hold the annual MBS Fall Festival from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Now in its 11th year, festival organizers have perfected the event.
“We’ve noticed things that are popular and things that are not as popular now and we’ve adjusted,” Pam Houck, chairperson for the event, says.
According to Houck, the event started with the walkathon. Each year, the walkathon begins at 1:45 p.m. and MBS students obtain pledges to walk around the school. The event is a way to get students active by also benefiting the Home School Association. Houck says the money raised helps with scholarships for students, repair work, field trips and more.
Last year, organizers handed out Ipads and Xbox systems to those who raised the most money in the walkathon, however, this year the school has new ideas for prizes. The first place fundraiser will receive a paddleboard and the second place fundraiser will receive season passes to Jolly Rogers.
MBS walkathon promotes exercise among youth (Photo: MBS)
When the walkathon became such a success, MBS decided it was time to add to it. Students are dismissed from school at 3 p.m. and the fall festival begins shortly after.
Houck says the festival offers a cake walk, Chinese auction, bounce houses, pony rides, hay rides, a soccer shootout and bake sale. ‘Trunk-or-treat’ will also take place this year, during which 16 cars will line up outside of the school and children can walk around receiving candy. Meatballs, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs and more will be served during the event.
According to Houck, the festival’s main objective is to provide a safe and fun environment for the children.
“We have a lot of families from the Ocean Pines area, which you aren’t allowed to trick-or-treat in, so this gets the kids out to participate in all of the trick-or-treat events and it gets the kids excited for Halloween with a safe environment,” Houck says. “It’s all about safety first, we want parents to know it’s safe and we couldn’t do anything with out our community’s support.”
Due to last years inclement weather, the event was cancelled, which lead MBS to add more activities inside this year. In addition to indoor activities, MBS is also getting the older kids involved.
“My son went here and has since graduated but he would say ‘Mom, there’s nothing for the big kids to do,” Houck says. “Now we get a lot of the seventh and eighth graders helping out for service learning and older students coming back that graduated.”
Houck says the event includes fun for the whole family. There will be parking at the school and at St. John Neumann Catholic Church next door. Those planning to attend can purchase tickets at ticket booth outside of the event.
To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/mostblessedsacramentcatholicschool.
