Posted: 11/20/07
20th Annual Family Fair bigger than the 19th, and the 18th, and the...
By Daniel McGonigle
Argus Managing Editor
As has been the case the previous 19 years, the 20th edition of the annual ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) Family Fair grew in numbers of those attending from the previous year.
Close to 300 people attended the event which was held this past Saturday at the Caledonia Elementary school gymnasium.
"The intent is as a community service project to help make families aware of the variety of resources available for them in the Caledonia Community," said Mary Lou Busta, ECFE coordinator. "It is an excellent outreach opportunity for the Early Childhood program."
Twenty-eight exhibitors from the area set up as part of the event. Those businesses donated door prizes, as did an additional 18 businesses. Six businesses or agencies donated toward the food stand which was sponsored by the ECFE and Student Readiness programs.
"There were very generous door prizes given," said Busta. "And of course there were lots of fun things for children to do and interesting types of things to learn about."
Busta said that every child went home having won something. In fact, over 100 door prizes were awarded at the event.
"Even those who didnít win a door prize won something," she said. "We gave away stickers and things like that which is a big deal to the kids. We wanted to make sure every child won something."
Parents too won prizes, though not all who attended.
Isaiah Foster, "The Magic Man," from La Crosse, kept the crowd laughing and entertained during the event as well.
"He was wonderful," said Busta. "Great entertainment."
Along with the ECFE, the event was sponsored by the Caledonia Area Schools, and the Early Childhood Special Education Programs.
However, Busta noted it wouldnít have been the success that it was without the support of the parents who brought their children, or the business community who contributed so many resources to make this event, now two decades old, bigger than last year.
Busta, not to be dated, but who has been a part of all 20 Family Fairís in Caledonia, anxiously awaits year 21.
Caledonia Argus
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