Spectacular Fun
It was certainly a great way to spend a Friday night as hundreds of children and their parents gathered at Pelican Elementary for an evening of fun at the Pelican Spectacular.
And everything was just that – from the activities to the weather. It was all put together with the help of school volunteers as well as those from Cape Coral High School.
The school held its first such event last spring, but moved it to the fall when the weather is cooler. The strategy paid off as children took part in carnival games, played in the bounce houses, went up the climbing wall and dunked their teachers and principal at the dunking tank.
Mary Jo Vidal, a teacher at the school, came up with the idea with the help of Parents as Partners to help celebrate a new year.
Among the other activities included a silent auction for everything from “staycations” to gift certificates and more.
The event went off thanks to Watch D.O.G.S., a program that helps dads get more involved with their children’s school by volunteering in the school, whether walking the halls or in the cafeteria.
“We’ve been fooled into thinking that it’s just the mother’s job and I think it’s important to have dads here and involved,” Brian Blackwell, a member of Watch D.O.G.S. “A lot of kids don’t have that positive role model and it gives kids a chance to interact with those father figures.”
Other supporters included Vineyards Church, which donated hot dogs, and more than 75 students from Cape Coral High School gave their time.
“We serve as partners of the school at many of their events. We try to give financial and volunteer support. We brought a team to grill the hot dogs and to be a presence at the school,” Pastor Sarah Lau said.
Of course, it isn’t much of an event if nobody shows up and there were plenty of kids and parents there to enjoy the evening
Said Nicole Tansey, a parent of two girls who attend the school, said such an event is awesome.
“It’s a great way to get families together and the kids and parents involved with the school. The kids will be thrilled to dunk the principal,” Tansey said.
“I want to bounce in the blue bounce house and dunk the principal,” said Tansey’s daughter, Aubrey.
Angela Giardina, came from college to have fun with her little brother. She came with her mom, Diane.
“This is great. There are a lot of different events to cater to kids of all ages. It’s great they do something for the kids,” Giardina said. “I also want to dunk someone who doesn’t want to be dunked.”
Poor Ed Carter, principal at the school. But at least he could revel in the fact he was doing something fun for the kids with some help from his friends.
“We have so many people helping us. Local law enforcement is here, the fire department, the Watch D.O.G.S., we have an outstanding event,” Carter said. “We can’t do this without the volunteers. It’s about collaborating and coming together as a family.”