OMES hosts annual Fall Fest

School was in session on Saturday, Oct. 15 for Oak Mountain Elementary School as its celebrated its eighth annual Fall Festival. 

Started by the school's PTO Board, the festival began by selling tickets as a "Spring into Art," but because of the number of events already happening in the spring, it was difficult to get everyone involved.

Now, after moving to the fall, the festival has evolved to be the PTO's largest fundraiser of the year.  

"Everything that the PTO does goes right back to the school," said principal Debbie Horton. "We have the best PTO." 

The PTO worked with local businesses and vendors to coordinate a vendor hallway and gathered baskets and crafts donated by teachers and local families for their silent auction. Families placed their bid on a variety of items, some of which included "Gifts of Time" from different teachers, giving students the opportunity to spend quality time with their favorite teachers. 

For college football fans, the PTO transformed the cafeteria into a viewing area, projecting the games all day and outfitting the space with snacks and crafts for the students. 

Outside, the lawn was filled with moon bounces, inflatable obstacle courses, games and snacks for kids and their families. Older students from other Oak Mountain facilities stepped up and worked as volunteers throughout the event, too. 

The goal each year for the event is to raise $30,000 in funds, and last year, the PTO met and exceeded their expectations, said PTO Board president Trisha Cooper.

"[Throwing this festival] is an easy sacrifice on our part with how much the teachers here do," she said. "We want to continue to grow it and make it something that everyone looks forward to."