Strawberry Plains School Holds Fall Festival Fundraiser

Jefferson County, Tennessee
Packed crowds jammed into Rush Strong School for the annual fall festival on Friday night, October 10. The event is looked forward to by the entire school and surrounding community. Last year's activities netted just under $2000 for needed school projects and activities.

Held annually, the fall festival continues to be a dependable source of fun and revenue.

The history of supporting education in Strawberry Plains goes back for generations. The school is named for Mr. Benjamin Rush Strong. Originally from Strawberry Plains, Mr. Strong offered a seed grant for any school in Jefferson County what would open and bear his name. When the people of Strawberry Plains heard of the offer they knew it was too valuable for the community to pass up. Chartered in the early 1900's the school has borne the name of Rush Strong ever since.

In the tradition of Mr. Strong the community has come together to support the school ever since the earliest beginnings. Now, one of the ways that the community continues to show their support is through participation in the annual fall festival.

The school's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) puts the event together each year. Rush Strong School is the only school in the Strawberry Plains zip code that resides within Jefferson County, Tennessee. A part of the Jefferson County school system Rush Strong School is just barely inside the county line. Classes are offered ranging in age from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Classroom teachers and others make baskets of items that are placed in the famous silent auction. This year the tempting offerings included luxury gift baskets filled with products for your body and bath. Another basket held a selection of tools and accessories. Entire tables were filled with baskets holding games and great family items.

The big draw of the evening was the costume contest. Kids decked out in their Halloween gear for the chance to win prizes and bragging rights.

Kids were lured inside the gym by the special treat of a large inflatable jumping game. Always a source of fun, this inflatable did not disappoint. Kids laughed and squealed as they jumped and played as long as they could.

Everyone pitched in where they could. Even the school principal, Mrs. Pohlman was seen helping empty trash cans at the end of the night. The Rush Strong PTO sold concessions. Parent volunteers turned out to sell Papa John's Pizza, run the snow-cone machine and sell bottled drinks.

Hundreds of kids and parents turned out for the fun as did local community groups. Booths from these area organizations lined the wall in the commons area.

Displays were set up by Hope for Healing.Org, SADD and the Strawberry Plains Community Alliance. One of the values of the Strawberry Plains Community Alliance is in the investment in youth of the Strawberry Plains Community. Through their display at the Rush Strong School Fall Festival they did just that - along with the rest of the community.