It’s only October, but “Do You Wanna Make a Snowman?”

 

Those who visit Simpson Elementary Fall Festival 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday can make a miniature customized snowman plus meet and greet with Anna and Elsa of the smash hit movie, “Frozen.”

 

“We’ll also have a fun spot where kids can dig through Insta-Snow – which feels like real snow – to find Olaf’s nose,” said Festival Chairperson Jenny Starkey Reed.

 

There will be the gathering of princess jewels and “ice wands” AKA ribbon dancers; perfect activities for little aspiring princesses. The snowman-making station will feature the molding of modeling dough snowmen, which can be decorated with eyes, noses and accessories.

 

There will likewise be attractions for fun-seeking little boys.

 

“We have an alien room where they can make alien slime and throw black light frisbees – and surfin’ the seven seas – where there will be a double tarp filled with water and the kids have to balance it like a surf board.”

 

Additional activities include a pirate makeover, mermaid bowling and crabwalk. With the exception of a few attractions, all are brand new to this year’s fall festival.

 

“We like to have a difference theme and different activities each year so the kids will be excited and not see the same things they did the year before,” Reed said.

 

That all takes a lot of hard work – and a lot of planning. Organizing for Saturday’s four-hour event has been in the works since January.

Parents and teachers have stepped up to assist, some taking on very key roles. Sarah Dotson and Kristy Marshall have organized a pirate room – complete with Captain Hook – and Cindy Shaffer has put together an astronomy room, where kids can participate in a rocket space race and ring around Saturn.

 

There are a handful of activities back by popular demand. Included are the Sandy Candy and Lollipop Tree.

 

“We’re also doing the tie eye T-shirts and cupcake walk,” said Reed, adding that the Starving Artist and Bakin’ Memories are sponsoring those events, respectively.

PTA President Teresa Lunsford will be “rallying the troops” and various team leaders will take their places to assure Simpson Fall Festival 2014 is a success.

 

Participating kids will be given a program book, which will be stamped at each fun spot. Thereafter, they can take them to the prize redemption room for a souvenir from their big day.

 

There are a couple other treats too.

 

“The Bridgeport High School Theatre Department will be there to promote the upcoming production of ‘HONK’ with characters in costume,” Reed said.

 

She also extends appreciation to members of the Fairmont State University Theatre Department for their role in Saturday’s festival.

 

Concessions will feature pizza, T&L Hotdogs, nachos and cheese, fruit, juice and water, among other items.

 

Each year, the fall festival raises thousands of dollars. For the past two years, those proceeds have been used toward playground upgrades.

 

Although the fall festival is important with regard to fundraising, it’s also a tradition to which Simpson Elementary students and other area kids look forward to as a fun day with friends, Reed said. 

 

Simpson Elementary School is located on Worthington Drive in Bridgeport.