Holiday Hoopla is Dec. 6

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — A long-standing tradition at Houlton Southside School continues this year as the annual Holiday Hoopla shopping event has been scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 6 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the school.
    A fundraiser for Houlton Southside School, the money generated from this sale is used for anything from buying clothes for students, funding for arts, and the After School Program.
    Pam Bartlett, organizer of the Hoopla, has been involved with the fundraiser for the past 12 years. Her daughter has long since graduated from SAD 29, but she continues to be involved in the Holiday Hoopla event.
    “We have Santa Workshop in the gym where children from pre-K to sixth grade can come in and shop for their family,” Bartlett said. “There are items ranging from $1 to $8. When they have finished their shopping, they may go to the end of the gym and have everything wrapped for free. The parents are not allowed to come in and shop with their children.”
    The school has sixth graders serve as elves who show younger children where to go and help them with their shopping decisions.
    “While the children are shopping, we have a silent auction in the cafeteria for the adults,” Bartlett said. “There are also free snacks for everyone. There is entertainment by the band and children and sometimes with parents and teachers, who help out by doing something on the stage.”
    Other projects on the evening include a cookie-decorating station in one of the classrooms where students can put frosting and sprinkles on pre-made sugar cookies. Others rooms feature an art project, temporary tattoo station and in another, Santa will be available for children to have their picture taken with.
    In the library, a holiday movie will be playing for children who want to stay and watch.