A Checklist for Planning Your Annual School Fair

Each school has a unique history, traditions, and values, and we must make those known to the students and their parents. A school fair is a perfect avenue for that, opening the school for a day or two to let the kids and parents learn about your rich history with carnivalesque games and rides as a backdrop of the experience.

For school administrators and coordinators, planning the annual school fair can get challenging, but with these tips, you’re sure to have an event that will not only be fun for the kids but for the parents as well.

1. The date

Most schools will have a set date when the fair is held every year, usually coinciding with a date that holds special significance to the school like their founding date. However, it’s also possible to move the date depending on certain aspects like weather, conflicts with the academic calendar, etc. When picking the date for the school fair, you’ll have to consider the possible weather conditions and how it fits in the academic calendar. Ideally don’t put the school fair too close to exam season or any other school event. Check your community calendar also to ensure you don’t coincide with major city events like a big game.

2. The budget

Deciding your budget is critical to avoid overspending and so you know how much you can afford to spend on every aspect of the fair. Remember that you’ll need to have food and drink stalls, as well as entertainment like games, a live band, and rides. You can use information from the previous year’s school fair as the basis for your proposed numbers.

3. The vendor

You need to hire a vendor that isn’t just affordable, but also reputable. Remember that your students’ and their parents’ lives could be put in jeopardy if you hire a fairground company that has a poor reputation. You also need to contact vendors who can provide good food, drinks, and game stalls for the fair. You can reach out to suppliers from the previous school fair, or you can check out https://www.wearetricycle.co.uk for a comprehensive selection of reasonably-priced carnival rides and games.

4. The programme

The fair is more than just a carnival. While your attendees enjoy the rides, food, and games, you should also have programmes happening simultaneously, where they can learn about your school’s history and traditions. You can also showcase the talents your school is nurturing by having students perform. They can play instruments, dance, put on a play, etc. The schedule should account for possible delays brought about by technical difficulties or other disruptions.

A school fair is a characteristic part of a school year and it’s your job to make it fun and memorable for the attendees. To make the task more manageable and to give your students valuable experience in event management, you can involve them in the planning and implementation of the fair. The student council would be perfect for this task as they’re already in leadership positions.