Inflatables, Slime Alley, a rock wall, a slide and an enticing raffle are just some of the items to look forward to when St. John’s Episcopal School’s Kooky Karnival returns Oct. 30.
The annual event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Barns D and E of the Ector County Coliseum. Admission is free.
Heather Kirk, interim head of school, Rebecca Grisham and Friends of St. John’s Board President Jennifer Robles are all looking forward to the school’s major fundraiser of the year.
Kirk said Slime Alley is where you run around and get to Silly String each other.
There also will be a food booth run by Chuck Wagon Gang member Gabe Grewell where chopped beef sandwiches, barbecue sandwiches, nachos, hot dogs, chili dogs, sausage on a stick and Hot Cheetos with cheese will be available.
An in-person silent auction is planned and Grisham said helmets from Permian and Odessa high schools signed by the entire team on the block, along with tickets to the Houston Texans.
“I’m excited that we get to do it this year, that we get to have the community back together. This is our big fundraiser, so last year, we were really short on funds compared to what a normal … year is,” Robles said.
Last year, Kirk said they did the best they could without having the actual event. They sold raffle tickets as usual and conducted a silent auction, which will be in person this year, but it wasn’t the same.
“… Since we couldn’t do the actual event we did things for the kids last year, so that they could still have that momentum and that fun within their classrooms,” Kirk said.
Kirk noted that approximately $8,000 worth of prizes will be available and tickets are $2.
Examples of the prizes are iPads, gift cards and a lifetime hunting and fishing license, Grisham said.
Kirk said her husband was so excited about that prize because it’s an $1,800 value.
“… You never have to buy a hunting and fishing license again in the state of Texas, so it’s a big-ticket item for … everybody, really,” Kirk added.
Those who want raffle tickets can call the school, they can come by the school and get one and they will also be sold at the Karnival.
The drawing is that night and you don’t have to be present to win.
Robles said she runs the social media for the school and there is a Karnival page on Facebook that she’s seen a lot of new people “like.”
“These are people from the community that are liking our page,” Robles said.
Grisham noted that word has spread about the Karnival making its return.
“My UPS man knows that Kooky Karnival is back. He was like, it’s back. When he starts delivery giant boxes … he was like oh you’re having Kooky Karnival again. My kids are so excited,” Grisham said.
Kirk said they started Kooky Karnival 38 years ago in the parish hall.
“… It was just a small fundraiser for the students and I’m not sure when the community started coming, but it has grown over the 38 years to thousands and thousands of people,” Kirk said. “It’s a tradition now, not just for St. John’s, but for the community.”
Robles said the Coliseum manager worked with their schedule. Because of COVID, a lot of events were pushed back.
Robles said all the proceeds from the Karnival go back to the school and they are grateful for all the donations and support.
They hope to raise $75,000 or more.
“… We did go back and forth (on) whether we should continue and have it at the Coliseum, or do something for our children only here at school,” Kirk said.
They watched the COVID numbers and decided that the Coliseum barns are all open, so there is flowing air. Kirk said masks are recommended.
“… We want to be … cautious, but … we still want to have that community fellowship,” Kirk said.
She added that raffle tickets have been fun this year as classroom contests have come along with them. Teachers have dressed up in their pajamas for the day or had a pie thrown in their face.
If they sell 31,252 tickets, Kirk said she will kiss a pig.
“… We purchased 30,000 tickets this year. We had to order more, which is an awesome problem to have. That doesn’t mean that they’re all sold. But that means that they are out with our students, or the teachers, or parents. And they’re selling them. So we had to order, I want to say 5,000 more tickets. … But like I said, that’s a good problem to have,” Robles said.
“I think because of the incentives the teachers are providing, we have more competition. Plus, the teachers themselves are doing incentives in class. They either get prizes, or they get points for different things. I think that that has helped us out a lot. The kids are more excited about selling the tickets,” Robles added.
Kirk said tuition only covers about 70 percent of educating a child, so they have to have outside fundraisers. St. John’s has 132 students in preschool 3 through eighth grade. The teachers are all degreed and certified, she said.
Proceeds from the Karnival go straight back into the school. This past year, they were able to buy Chromebooks for all the middle school students.
But there is a long list of things they want to do. What is funded depends on how much is raised.
Kirk said they would like to get new carpet and an awning to go over the middle school buildings to protect students from the weather and the sun.
Robles said two years ago they used the funds for hands-free faucets, soap dispensers and paper towels everywhere.
“That was something that required a lot of time, but it’s something that was very necessary that we wanted to make sure was safe for our kids with the return back,” Robles. “… That was one thing that we did two years ago. I thought that was really important.”
A pep rally is set 9:30 a.m. for Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 they will set up.
Students will drop off pumpkins for judging 8:30 a.m. Oct. 28 and prizes will be awarded.
