The Crane Country Day School Fair has been a Santa Barbara tradition for more than a quarter century, and the K-8 independent school will again open its fields to the community offering a festive family day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 23 at 1795 San Leandro Lane, Montecito.
“Bringing the fair back after a two-year hiatus, we focused on the most popular games and added some new, fun activities such as pony rides, climbing wall, bingo, and an interactive table by Moxi,” said Debbie Williams, director of advancement, who is overseeing the event with a group of sixth-grade families.
“The fair offers something for young and old alike, and we are so thrilled to open our campus up to the entire Santa Barbara community,” she said.
Activities returning this year are a variety of sports inflatables, the cupcake walk, sack races, sponge toss, face painting booth, and arts and crafts. Even the youngest visitors will find adventures such as the duck pond and a petting zoo.
All ages are invited to participate in the service learning booth, which includes service activities sponsored by students in Crane’s Coyote Cares elective. The two nonprofits benefiting from these volunteer activities are Dream Foundation and Meals on Wheels.
The fair is an expression of one of Crane’s values: Put We Before Me. It is a community event that takes a team of family volunteers to run the booths and to man the grill serving hotdogs and hamburgers at Big Daddy’s BBQ. Alumni will return to campus to assist with activities again this year.
Other food items will include healthy options provided by 30 Acres, Kona Ice snow cones, freshly squeezed lemonade, popcorn, and the Country Kitchen selling homemade pumpkin pies, jams, and whimsically decorated cakes.
“I love the open, festive atmosphere the Country Fair exudes with kids safely running from one activity to the next while families connect, and the whole school comes together,” said Joel Weiss, head of school. “It’s a wonderful way to gather the Crane community, but also to extend this camaraderie to the greater Santa Barbara community to gather and play.”
Admission is free, but tickets or a wristband must be purchased to participate in games and activities.
Fair sponsors include Movegreen, Jake and Jones, Montecito Plastic Surgery and Migraine Surgery, Rusty’s Pizza, Easter Team Realtors, K. Frank, Santa Barbara Venture Partners, Rilascio Chiropractic, Jason Siemens Real Estate.
For admissions information or to schedule a school tour, contact Erin Guerra, 805-969-7732 ext. 106, or visit www.craneschool.org.