The Pillsbury Elementary Carnival came back in-person Friday, June 3 to a substantial crowd of community members and Pillsbury families. The layout at Windom Park was more concentrated on one side of the field compared to previous years. This year they had a live circus performance. DJ Purple Queen spun the tunes on an intimate stage, and there were live singers as well.
As fundraisers go, Pillsbury Parent Teacher Organization had perfected an online bidding platform that had substantial activity even before the physical event. Folks continued to bid with phones on Friday, and could enter a huge raffle. The PTO debrief happened after this edition went to press, but organizers report being pleased with the results, around $10,000 in funds raised for classroom needs throughout the year.
There was all sorts of free entertainment for kids, including an “obstacle course” with physical activities of all levels plus some fun with “Nose Pick” where the attendant would hand a crusty substance to whomever dared to reach up inside the giant nose.
“Chicken Soup” involved tossing all the ingredients (a rubber chicken and vegetables) toward a pot.
Lines for the three food trucks — Uncle Franky’s, Cairo Kitchen and MN Nice Cream — were constant.
The neighborhood group, Windom Park Citizens In Action, a major sponsor, asked attendees to talk about neighborhood priorities as they relate to the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and plot them with dots on a chart.
Below in order: For the Pie Face game at the Pillsbury Elementary carnival, the plate full of shaving cream wasn’t attached to the launcher, so if a ball thrower tripped the lever, the recipient had to smash their own face with the “pie.” Of course, that gave Simon Quale the opportunity to close his eyes and mouth. Claire Lundquist and Tessa Gurney are at right, Hannah Mecheri in the VOLUNTEER shirt. All are Northeast Middle School students helping at the carnival.
Caitlyn Sullivan and Alivia Barber showed off their Pillsbury Pride posters printed by Vote Ruthless.
Vivid Black Paint aerialists performed during the event.
Julie Boada, in the monarch costume, interacted with kids, challenging them to jump up to touch her outstretched hand, or leaning down to shake hands with the more timid.
One of the more unusual obstacle course stations, the Nose Pick.
Lady Midnight sang to her littlest fan and a wiggly group of youth. She asked them to join her in the chorus of “Do It For Love.”
(Photos by Margo Ashmore)
