By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



A cool nip in the air following a long hot summer signals that the time has come for a long-held school related tradition.

School officials and PTA volunteers are organizing fall festivals throughout northern Jefferson County.

While festivals offer a fun getaway for families, many schools count on profits from them to fund various school-related expenses.

Bryan Elementary is working toward a new copy machine, while the Snow Rogers Elementary PTA hasn’t decided yet how to use fall festival proceeds.

“Since we’re in proration, we’re getting no money for technology or library enhancement,” said Snow Rogers principal Karen White. She said the fall festival profits will help take up some of the slack in those areas.

One of the largest school festivals is hosted by Gardendale Elementary School at the Gardendale Civic Center.

The Gardendale Elementary PTA’s ongoing project is to buy new desks for every student in the school.

PTA member Jan Holmes said the desk project would likely take three years. She added, however, that principal Ellen Andrews could designate the festival proceeds for other needs due to budget cutbacks.

“We’ll wait and see what the school needs most,” said Holmes.

There will be more than 40 booths at the Gardendale Elementary festival on Friday, including ponies, games, food including Chick-fil-A and hot dogs, and more.

There will also be a Sweet Shop, silent auction with footballs signed by Nick Saban and Gene Chizik, a dance party, a carnival, and local entertainment.

School-related fall festivals in north Jefferson County include:

• Friday: Gardendale Elementary School at the Gardendale Civic Center, 5-9 p.m.

• Saturday: Bryan Elementary at the school, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Oct. 16: Snow Rogers at the school, 5-8 p.m.

• Oct. 31: Gardendale Christian Academy, at Gardendale Church of the Nazarene, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Nov. 5: Mt. Olive Elementary at the school, 5-8 p.m.

• Nov. 5: Corner Elementary (time to be determined)