THE INFAMOUS YEARLY SCHOOL FAIR.

THE INFAMOUS YEARLY SCHOOL FAIR.

 THIS SUNDAY IS OUR YEARLY FAIR. IT IS A REALLY GIANT PROJECT FOR OUR SCHOOL AND RAISES OVER $50,000 A YEAR TO BENEFIT THE CHILDREN AT ALL SAINTS.

THE WHOLE COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER, WINNING THE REPUTATION AS THE  BIGGEST SCHOOL FAIR ON THE NORTHSIDE OF BRISBANE.

WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED EVERY YEAR... AS WITH THE OTHER 400+ FAMILIES AT THE SCHOOL. EACH CLASS HAS A DANCE TO PERFORM IN FRONT OF HUNDRED'S OF PEOPLE, SO THIS WEEK HAS BEEN CONSUMED WITH REHEARSALS AND COSTUMES. JUST A GLIMPSE OF THE DAY, MOSTLY FREE ACTIVITIES, SAMPLE BAGS, GIVE AWAYS FROM LOCAL RADIO STATIONS, BANDS, VISITS FROM A.G.L HELICOPTERS, Q.L.D FIRE, POLICE AND THE RURAL FIRE BRIGADE.  SUPPORT FROM OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS LIKE ST JOHN AMBULANCE, M.P'S AND COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES, SKY DIVERS, ARTISTS AND BANDS.  IT REMINDS ME A LOT OF A MINI EXHIBITION.

IT IS A GOOD CHANCE TO SEE HOW OUR LOCAL SCHOOL AND PARISH COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER, FOR AN AMAZING DAY. ALONG WITH ALL THIS ACTION, YOU HAVE THE USUAL CAKE STALLS, SWEET STALLS, BOTTLE DRIVES, ART UNION AND SILENT AUCTIONS, CAFES, SCONES, TRASH AND TREASURE, CRAFT AND SECOND HAND BOOK STALLS. EVERYONE IS INVOLVED.  YOUTH AND SENIORS GROUPS FROM OUR, LOCAL APEX AND LIONS GROUPS, LOCAL BUSINESSES ETC. PREPARATIONS START AT 6AM ON SUNDAY MORNING AND HARD WORKING FAMILIES DO NOT STOP ALL DAY.  IF YOU ARE IN THE LOCAL AREA, COME AND SEE WHAT IS ON OFFER.  SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 10-4PM.

Our first year at the school, I remember cooking kilos and kilos of chocolate fudge for the sweet stall. I couldn't look at fudge the same way again for quite some time.  But since my youngest has come along, the School Fair is a tricky event.  All the colours, noise, crowds and busy bustling is like a sensory nightmare for him.  My eldest son, loves it. Laser tag, slides, rides, music, socialising. I usually give him free rein to run around with all of his mates, enjoying the day. The fair is on the school grounds and with so many familiar adults around, my son is perfectly safe.  Most of the kids do this and relish in the freedom.

Sunday will require me to have an action plan.  Once the year one children do their dance in the morning, it will be a quick look around, say "hi" to a few friendly faces, ensure the eldest has eaten something decent and then a trip home to unwind with the youngest. He will only last a few hours...if that. We are unsure if he will join his class on stage to perform. It will be a case of wait and see. The costume, as simple as it is, has been packed ready for tomorrow.  All the crowds of people, flashes going off on cameras, cheers and noise can be all a bit scary for a small year one child on a stage.  Let alone a young man with ASD. I recall last year.... in Prep.... it just didn't happen and he was so distressed all day.  I basically learnt my lesson. As we only live around the corner from the school, it will be no real drama to sneak off for some "down time."  It's hard yes. I often watch all the families and kids walking around having fun, talking, going on rides together, but I guess in the big scheme of things...... it is a once a day event. Besides the excitement and mood of the day is energising. Even if it is only a quick hello and coffee with friends, at least it's a "hello".  I'll make sure to get my fudge, jam and scones on the way out.... maybe even duck past the bottle stall. We'll see what happens.

 WISH ME LUCK!