Allemands Elementary hosts first big event since COVID with successful fall fest

Allemands Elementary School recently held their first big event since COVID and Hurricane Ida sidelined school social gatherings, and AES Principal Lisa Perrin said it was a huge success.

“It feels amazing to open our doors to the community for a large-scale event like Fall Fest,” she said. “The PTA worked very hard to prepare for the event and everyone adhered to the safety protocol.”

Organizers said the Allemands Elementary Fall Fest brings fun games and activities onto the campus in an effort to raise money for the school. In the past, the PTA has funded Promethean boards, chair back covers to hold student supplies, playground equipment, digital classroom subscriptions, magazines for the classrooms, and morale boosters for students and faculty from the event.

“This year we were specifically hoping to raise funds for fans underneath our outdoor covered area to keep it cooler during our warmer months, which is most of the year,” Kelly Madere, an AES PTA member, said.

Allemands Elementary’s Partner in Education, Otto Candies, Inc., donated two bikes and helmets in a raffle for the event in which students were entered into at no cost.

“The funds raised from fall fest go directly back into our school and provide educational supplies and support for our students, faculty and staff throughout the year,” Madere said.

Madere said the AES school community received overwhelming support from local businesses and donors for fall fest, as well as continued support from Frank’s and Majoria’s.

“So many people and businesses were willing to come together to give back to our students, faculty and staff,” she said. “This support is essential for continued projects that benefit every single student at AES.”

Volunteers from the J.B. Martin Beta Club and Talented Art Program worked the game and activity stations at the fest and provided face painting and hair coloring for the students.

“We raised money by selling food and game tickets and hosting a raffle full of items donated by local businesses, as well as donations by Friends of Allemands Elementary PTA,” Madere said.

Donations for the raffle were provided by After Lotus LLC, Allen’s Hardware, Angellie a Salon, Audubon Nature Institute, Best Life Nutrition, Bonomo Art, Breaux’s Inflatables, Cajun Lady’s Lagniappe, Cajun Ninja, Cherry Lane Boutique, Eaux Soo Nola, Glaser Family Practice, Hollywood Team Nail Spa, J’aime Le Café in Luling, Little Tokyo in Boutte, Luling Boutte Lions Club, Luv 2 Play, Mariano’s Italian Eatery, Roussel’s, Santos Restaurant, Say Red Candle Co., Shear Perfxtion, Sidelines Barbershop Snap Fitness in Luling, Studio KB by Kelly Bourgeois, Studio Lay, Sudz Sation Auto Wash, The Basketry, The Potting Shed, Thompson’s Seafood and Thorson Dentistry for Kids.

Other monetary and in-kind donations for food were provided by Alpha Testing & Inspection, Inc., Domino’s, Mariano’s Italian Eatery, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Robyn Suarez, Sam’s Club in Kenner, Walmart in Boutte, and Winn Dixie in Luling. The Bayou Gauche, Des Allemands, and Paradis Volunteer Fire Departments provided ice for the event.

“My message to the volunteers and parents who put on this event is a huge thanks,” Perrin said. “The smiles on the children’s faces and families were worth every moment. They make a difference every day, but especially when we hold a large-scale event like Fall Fest.”