Lisa Hynes knows where she and her family will be on Saturday, Nov. 5: the Binks Forest Elementary School Fall Carnival.
“We never miss it,” said Hynes, who has attended the carnival for nine years running. Now, with children in third and fifth grades at the school, she said it has become a family tradition.
“The kids have a blast,” said Hynes, adding that their favorite part is bidding on the auction items. “They always think they’re going to win one.”
With more than 70 themed baskets up for grabs, the raffle is one of the carnival’s highlights. Classroom parents and teachers creatively assemble the baskets, which include items such as tickets to the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando and Sea World Orlando; an American Girl doll; a GoPro camera; and much more.
Faith McDevitt said she takes her kids every year because she knows how important it is for Binks Forest Elementary School.
“It’s one of their biggest fundraisers and does so much good for the school,” said McDevitt, who has children in first and fourth grade at the school. “They do a great job of putting it together.”
And her kids love it because they get to see their friends and try their hand at the dunk tank.
“They have so much fun trying to dunk their teacher in the water,” she said.
The dunk tank is one of the many attractions at the carnival, which also boasts bounce houses (including special ones for toddlers), a rock-climbing wall, petting zoo, a balloon artist and almost 30 carnival games. Carnival-goers can also enjoy entertainment on the Wellington soundstage, including performances by the Wellington High School jazz band, as well as a variety of vendor boutiques.
Food vendors include Chick-fil-A, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Miami Subs Grill, Sweet Cravings NY, and M&M Snowballs and Cotton Candy.
The variety of games, food and entertainment has made the Binks Fall Carnival a successful yearly event, drawing nearly 2,000 attendees and raising more than $20,000 in 2015.
Proceeds fund classroom and curriculum enhancements at the school.
Presenting sponsors include Pike & Lustig LLP, the Center for Bone & Joint Surgery of the Palm Beaches, Shults Orthodontics, Arden and Palm Beach International Realty.
Wellington Councilwoman Tanya Siskind, who is serving her final year as PTA president at Binks Forest, has helped make the carnival a success for six years, along with the PTA’s carnival committee. “I can’t believe this is my final year at Binks,” Siskind said. “The Fall Carnival gets bigger and better every year, thanks to the tremendous work of parents and staff. It has been a pleasure working with Principal Michella Levy, the PTA Executive Board, the Binks parent volunteers, and the many people and businesses in the community who come together to make this event a huge success.”
The Binks Fall Carnival takes place on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Binks Forest Elementary School campus (15101 Bent Creek Road, Wellington).
Entry to the carnival is free, but wristbands are required for use of bounce houses and games. Wristbands cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door. To pre-order wristbands and raffle tickets, visit www.binksforestpta.com/carnival. For sponsor and vendor opportunities, e-mail Siskind at president@binksforestpta.com.
