Family Fun Fair returns bigger and better

MT. PLEASANT — Mt. Pleasant Community School District is excitedly putting together the final touches for the return of their Family Fun Fair during parent-teacher conferences.

Volunteers in turquoise Mt. Pleasant Fun Fair shirts that read “Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.” will welcome MPCSD families in for an evening of family fun between conferences on Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Middle School easily identifiable

While the event will offer many of the same draws as last year such as family-friendly activities, Main Street Pizza, and community/school resources, Student and Family Advocate Martha Peterson says this year’s event will be even bigger and better than last year thanks to an influx in community support. Last year Peterson saw over 100 people stop by last year’s Family Fun Fair and she hopes to see even more this year.

“We have huge donations this year from locals,” Peterson said. “So, we have a little bit of money to try to make it bigger and better this year, which is exciting.”

With donations from Henry County Health Center Foundation, First United Methodist Church and St. Alphonsus Church, Peterson says the fair’s budget has increased by $4,500.

This money will go toward a bounce house obstacle course, additional food, and T-shirts for volunteers. Additionally, the funds will help secure an appearance from mascots like Herky the Hawk from the University of Iowa.

In addition to monetary donations, Peterson says many other local businesses have donated in different ways.

Many businesses have donated a variety of prizes for this year’s free drawing including a three-month family membership to the REC Center, gift cards to Press Box, pool passes, bowling certificates, and entrance to Old Threshers.

Peterson hopes that each item in the drawing offers families an opportunity to do something together, and she will use some of the monetary donations to supplement the prizes to keep that goal front and center.

In addition to dinner, prizes, and a myriad activities for the whole family, Peterson says new and old partnerships will offer and educational element to the evening.

Hidden in Plain Sight will partner with MPCSD for the Family Fun Fair and offer an experience specifically for adults. Hidden in Plain Sight offers a mobile display of a young adult’s bedroom that shows examples of how easily and inconspicuously items can be hidden in plain sight from their parents and guardians.

“He sets up a mock teenage bedroom and you have to be 21 to go through this thing,” Peterson explained. “Then he is able to show parents common places where students might hide drug paraphernalia.”

Additionally, Hidden in Plain Sight will educate parents on what innocent items may actually be vapes or other drug paraphernalia.

“So, it is an educational thing for our families in that arena of drug awareness intervention,” Peterson said.

Another new partner for the event will include the I’m Glad You Stayed Project out of Johnson County.

“The I'm Glad You Stayed Project strives to educate the public, especially teenagers, on real-time suicide prevention actions,” The I’m Glad You Stayed website states. “We provide free resources such as wristbands, stickers and bag tags with the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline number on them, pamphlets on how to help your friend that is struggling with suicidal ideation, and offer free QPR training, in person or on Zoom.”

Additional community partners offering resources as the event will include ADDs, the Area Education Agency, ASL Resource Center, Community Action, Community Partnerships for Protecting Children, Hillcrest, Elevate, and many Iowa State University Extension groups.

On top of highlighting community resources between fun, games, giveaways, and food, Peterson says the evening also will include information about school resources, as well.

They will highlight the portrait of a graduate, the school’s new social medias, staff roles, food services, and absenteeism.

“The gist of this whole thing is fun for families while promoting what’s in our community and our school,” Peterson said. “

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com