The Little Red School House Old-Time Jamboree lived up to its name Sunday at Ballard Elementary School, as more than 100 parents and children enjoyed a festival atmosphere of food, music and games that harked back to the school’s unique 19th century heritage.
Old-fashioned games, such as ring-toss and musical chairs, a pie-baking contest, shopping, a silent auction, a Fire Brigade Barbecue and music by the T-Bone Ramblers all helped raise money to reach a $50,000 goal for the school PTA. The family-oriented fundraiser began in Spring 2006 and has been held every other year since.
“It’s a huge amount of work, between our volunteers, staff and kids,” said Allan Pelletier, Ballard School District Superintendent. “We all want this thing to be special, especially the parents and local business sponsors who picked up the ball and ran with our staff to put together an event where the community could come together to celebrate what this school was and has become.” Donna Andersen-Beehler, whose family has lived in Ballard since 1911, organized a Jamboree Mercantile booth where all the proceeds from purchased items from her business, the Home Connection in Solvang, went straight to the fundraiser. “The school is amazing, the people are amazing, and we just want to give back to the Valley,” she said.