Tuckers Crossroads prepares for fall festival

Tuckers Crossroads Elementary is preparing for its annual fall festival in a decided contrast to last year, when the festival was postponed due to safety concerns.

The 2012 TXR fall festival will be at the school, at 5905 Trousdale Ferry Road, on Friday from 5:30-9 p.m.

The event will feature the famous chili supper along with games/prizes and activities - including "pie in teacher's face" fun, cake walk, silent auction consisting of gift baskets and individual items, and more. The famous chili supper will cost $5 for adults and $3 for children age 11 and under. The supper will include chili, hot dogs, beverages and dessert. Tickets may be bought in advance by calling 615-585-7773. Admission is free.

TXR parent Diana Cavender is in charge of the silent auction and marketing the event. She has been working to get this year's festival up and running, and she said the event will offer something for everyone and benefit the classroom funds of teachers at the school. She said last year's festival raised just as much money as previous festivals despite the postponement.

"People came in earnest last year to support the school," Cavender said, adding the entire school is given over to the festival with teachers coming up with games in their individual classrooms.

"It's in the entire school, with the silent auction and cake walk in the gym," she said. "We sell tickets for 50 cents each for games, but the a pie in the face goes for $1. After so many months being told to do homework it's a relief for them to sling that pie into a teacher's face."

Even if the event is after Halloween, candy is on the agenda.

"The science teachers are getting together to make a spooky room," Cavender said. "I go out after Halloween and buy candy which we use as prizes."

The event is all in good fun, but it's also for a good cause.

"For the PTO this is it," she said. "We encourage teachers to put in their requests for what they need for their classrooms. A science teacher might requests new microscopes. All this goes right back to the teachers."

The main money maker at the event is the silent auction, which will have some significant items.

"I think the best thing is an art work by Donald Gilbert, our art teacher and a renowned artist," Cavender said. "He always does a great piece for us. Myself, I've never been able to bid high enough to get one, but they are great."

The auction will also have a hockey puck signed by Predator David Legwand, Dollywood tickets, three months membership to Sports Village and four tickets to see Tennessee against Troy on Saturday. Those who don't get an item at the auction, the chili still makes it worth the trip.  
 
"We give out the same great recipe to everybody," Cavender said. "Come on out and have some chili."

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 615-444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.