EVENTS – From fair to festival
Set the scene Avoid clashes with other local events and festivals, particularly if you’re hoping to attract local businesses and third-party vendors. Put your committee’s heads together and come up with a good name, something to grab attention that will work well as a hashtag. Whatever you offer, make it distinctive for your school and your event. Encouraging children – and their parents – to come in fancy dress immediately adds colour to the proceedings.
On the main stage
The biggest component of any festival is the acts, and to make them stand out, you’ll need a stage. Many schools already have portable wooden stages that can be brought outside. Failing that, pallets are wonderfully versatile. Even one layer of pallets (plus any extra boards) can be used to create a robust, raised platform. Ask a local business or reclaimed timber charity if they can donate materials. Builders or scaffolders can then create a simple structure for rigging lights, banners and bunting. Ask if any of the parents can DJ. The
DJ is essential for pulling the day together and keeping the mood buoyant. They can either play through the main PA system or in a dedicated disco tent. As the day goes on, move between loud, lively disco, a silent disco and even a chill-out zone when children – and adults – need a rest. You may be surprised at how many
parents and staff play in bands or have connections to live music acts. Ask the pupils to play, or contact local storytellers, puppeteers, magicians and comedians – particularly those who run children’s parties and would benefit from the exposure. Ask local experts to give talks on anything from beekeeping to ecology.
Get the word out! Think about branding and communication channels. Going beyond the school newsletter should guarantee a bigger attendance. If your PTA doesn’t already have a communications officer, now is the time to recruit one. They can work with a graphic designer (ideally also a volunteer parent) to develop an eye-catching campaign. Use free website-building tools, create new social media accounts, put adverts in the local press and distribute posters and fliers. To add to the festival vibe, hand out recyclable branded wristbands on entry.
Massage,
makeovers and messy art As well as the music, family-friendly festivals focus on a wide range of other activities to keep everyone happy. Contact local street dance, yoga and Pilates teachers and ask if they can run low-cost taster sessions. Ask if martial arts or circus skills organisations can give a demonstration. Health and beauty professionals may offer anything from mini head massages to hair braiding or makeovers. Emphasise the business benefits and offer promotion in return for their involvement where appropriate. To keep everyone active, set up a climbing wall, an assault course, a skateboard ramp or that old favourite, a bouncy castle. Games are always fun – how about a giant football competition? Workshops found at family festivals often include things like campfire cooking, bushcraft, science sessions or arts and crafts. Set up dedicated tents or spread out, creating giant paintings and sculptures outside. If you don’t have resources within your immediate community, reach out to local organisations, from forest schools to holiday activity clubs.
pta.co.uk SUMMER 2022 47
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
