Arts & Entertainment
First ever Big Sky Carnival raises more than $5,000
Published
11 years agoon
By Barbara Rowley
Big Sky businesses and families are passionate supporters of their school and their sports teams.
Kathy Tatom and her cohorts at the booster club – Deb House, Kimmie Warga and Kirsten King and others – thought they needed a fall fund-raiser that was fun, affordable, and didn’t over-tax the super-giving community more than necessary. Their solution, a school carnival, seemed to hit the mark on all counts, and by the end of the three hour event on Sept. 22, more than $5,000 had been raised for school athletic expenses from participants who were giving the event rave reviews.
In order to keep expenses down and meet their fundraising goals, Booster Club organizers recruited families and businesses to sponsor carnival booths and activities by setting up and running the booths, and in some cases providing prizes.
Many sponsors knew from the get-go exactly what they wanted to do. Morgan Ayres painted faces, hair-stylist Jaci Clack festooned carnival-goers hair with feathers, and the folks at the China Cafe brought buckets of fortune cookies for prizes at their toilet toss booth. The Yellowstone Club grabbed the carnival games they own, and the people to run them, and took tickets and played games for the entire three hours.
Some of the more popular fair activities involved good-hearted pranks more than games: Carnival goers could lay down tickets to send sisters, brothers and teachers to “jail,” force notable school and local characters to kiss Elizabeth Severn-Ericksson’s pig, Eloise, buy confetti filled eggs and silly string with which to ‘decorate’ fellow fair-goers, or have Dr. Jessie Coil bandage their ‘shark’ bites. Warren Miller Artistic Director and choral music teacher John Zirkle emceed the goings-on, occasionally inspiring dance parties and contests from the main stage.
Traditional carnival food was in abundance. A cake-walk and bake sale organized by Jolene Romney was overflowing with frosted confections, and several businesses and families sponsored inflatable activities such as a Velcro Wall, bounce house, slide and obstacle course. A raffle for one of 12 goodie-filled baskets was also a highlight for carnival goers, who busily filled out tickets for a chance at a win, which was announced at the football game that followed the event. One surprise was just how unfamiliar many kids were with a carnival, the Big Sky event being their first ever.
“I can’t believe how many kids came up to me asking, ‘what’s a cake walk?’” Kathy Tatom said.
Once the event got underway, however, it wasn’t long before all of the kids got the hang of it, including kids who thought they were a bit too old for such fun and games.
“I think a lot of the older kids, and even adults, thought that it was a tiny kid kind of deal, but once we started rolling the middle schoolers and high schoolers were every bit as into it as the preschoolers,” Tatom said.
Interview with Eloise, Volunteer Pig
Q: Why did you volunteer to kiss humans for the booster club?
A: “Well, in lieu of there being any other pigs in the vicinity, I decided I would give humans a try….and since my sister (Annika) attends the school I decided I should support it.”
Q: Are there particular sports that you follow?
A: “I don’t care for football since I don’t support the material the football is made of, however I do follow volleyball, basketball and soccer.”
Q: What about when one of the kissers wiped your lips first? Was that offensive to you?
A: “I think Mr. House found the froth around my mouth intimidating.”
Q: Did anyone offer to wipe their faces before kissing you? ”
A: They did not, but I wish they had! I also wish Mr. Middleton had considered some breath mints.”
Q: In general, are humans good kissers?
A: “I could teach them a few things.”
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
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15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
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Verge Theater
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Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during
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Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during their regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. The free program, presented by the Bozeman Symphony is especially for children ages 3 to 5. Children will be able to listen to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actor Emma Rather, who will be joined by Bozeman Symphony Bassoonist Sam Macken. The goal of the program is to encourage a love of music, literacy, and discovery. Additional programs are scheduled at the Library on April 10 and June 12. For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
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(Wednesday) 10:15 am - 10:45 am
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Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main St, Bozeman, MT