Annual Fall Festival Astutely Arriving

Mitch Van Cleave

The Fair Grove School District and community as a whole look forward to the Fall Festival every year. Multiple school programs such as Volleyball, Football, Band and Cheer all participate in the annual festivities, including the parade on Saturday.

The volleyball program contributes a float to the parade every year. 2018 will be the 18th year that the team has participated in the procession. The entire High School team, as well as the Middle School team ride on the float through the parade. The team exudes energy by playing music on the float, and passing out candy and necklaces. Head Coach, Tonya Peck, commented, “The girls really enjoy being able to relax and have fun on the float. It is a tradition they look forward to each year.”

           For the festival the football team will continue what they have done in past years. The team contributes a float to the parade, and works the Family Pharmacy parking lot. The high school coaches also participate in the dunk tank.

The band program marches in the yearly parade, playing the school fight song and other popular tunes. This year’s selections include the songs “Jenny” and “Starships.” The band has always marched during the festival in previous years. Band Director Natalie Palomo explained,”I think they [the band kids] enjoy it a fair amount, it’s a different performance opportunity than a football game or competition, and it gives a lot of community members a chance to see the band if they normally wouldn’t. I don’t think anyone loves parade marching, but the excitement and energy of the fall festival seems to keep the kids’ spirits up as we actually perform.” The Fair Grove Music Boosters also run a booth selling drinks and candy, and work a parking lot that many students participate in.

           The cheerleading team also participates in the festival. They have done floats in the past, but the outcome of this year is undecided. According to Head Coach, Tiffany Hill, most of the cheerleaders are spread thin with other groups. The group’s  primary focus every year is working their parking lot.

The Fall Festival is on the 29th and 30th of September, with the parade being held on the morning of the 29th.