RUMSON – The Rumson School District’s third annual Family Fall Festival featured plenty of excitement and a powerful display of Purple Pride.
Music and laughter filled the air on Sept. 26 as purple-clad youngsters ran hurriedly about the school grounds, anxious to experience all of the fun cooked up by hardworking parents and student volunteers.
“This is just such a wonderful event,” Rumson School District Superintendent Maryrose Caulfield-Sloan said, surveying the large crowd enjoying the fundraiser for the district’s Parent Teacher Organization.
Deane Porter School Principal Shari Feeney agreed wholeheartedly.
“We have a solid Parent Teacher Organization, and they accomplish amazing things,” Feeney said.
The third annual fall festival featured bounce houses, carnival games with prizes, drills and games courtesy of CrossFit Triple Threat in Red Bank, basketball fun with “Coach Cal” and “Coach Shempy” and airbrush tattoos by Party on with Natalie. The large crowd enjoyed refreshments, including flavored ices and cotton candy, a variety of fare from Freshica’s in Fair Haven and Locals Foodery in Rumson, and hot dogs from the cart of Mrs. Reidy. Also featured were a candy and treat tent and Bulldog-themed merchandise for sale.
The musical soundtrack accompanying was provided by DJ Tommy Lynch, whose appearance was sponsored by the Keith McHeffey Foundation.
Even the RFH Bulldog mascot got in on the action, busting some dance moves and receiving hugs from happy youngsters.
Rumson students Dylan Cahill, Molly Kelly, and Amanda Ridgeway provided a consensus opinion about the event, saying they loved the games and the inflatable rides and the cotton candy. The best thing they said was having fun with their friends.
Parent and student volunteers enjoyed being a part of the action as well as giving back to their school community.
“It’s just nice to be able to help out,” said Jenna Unger, an eighth-grader at Forrestdale School as she twirled pink cotton candy into white cones for a large group.
Lorna Robinson, a freshman at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, agreed as she helped to hand out the treats. “It’s been fun to work here as a volunteer,” she said. “Everyone really appreciates our participation.”
Forrestdale School Principal Jen Gibbons was grateful for the many student participants from the eighth grade at her school.
“The Fall Festival is a wonderful community-wide event,” Gibbons said. “I love watching my eighth graders interact with the younger students as they provide community service through their work at the game and food stations.”
Alex Everett and Liza Tamashunas served as co-chairs for the event. Also helping to make it all possible were PTO members Carolyn Cashion, Laura Gangemi and Nadia John and a host of parent volunteers for games and check-ins.
