Tusky Valley PTO launches first Trojan Fest Sept. 20

The Tusky Valley Elementary Parent Teacher Organization is hosting its first Trojan Fest Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tusky Valley Elementary School.

Hannah Boreman, PTO secretary, said the group held a crafts fair last fall that was so successful, they decided to expand the event to include family activities, such as kids’ indoor and outdoor games, face painting and photo opportunities.

“We’re also introducing a new idea for us called ‘drop and shop,’” said Boreman. “Parents can drop their kids off into a safe, supervised area in the school where they can play games, watch movies, create craft projects and have fun while the parents check out all the vendors and raffle items.”

PTO President Kaylene Hoy said 44 vendors will be on hand with a wide variety of products, including permanent jewelry, custom photo magnets, 3D-printed toys, handmade crafts and quilts, custom T-shirts, herbal remedies and more.

Local author and 2000 Tusky Valley graduate Laura Ball will read from her award-winning “Albert the Donkey” children’s book series. Ball will also bring a prize wheel for kids to spin and win small prizes.

Raffle prizes will include the “Ultimate Trojan Fan Package,” which offers one child the chance to join a varsity football practice, along with a Tusky Valley football season pass, a T-shirt and a blanket. Another highlight is a fire pit package complete with a tent and camp chairs. Other raffles include a basket of lottery tickets and a family game night basket with a Bolivar Pizza gift certificate, board games and popcorn.

Food options will feature five food trucks — Kona Ice, Little Lao Kitchen, Open Sky Coffee, Wrapped in Dough and the Dine and Dash Mobile Kitchen. A PTO bake sale and concession stand will also offer candy, cookies, chips and drinks.

Boreman said the PTO hopes Trojan Fest will become an annual fundraiser. “Our PTO puts everything we raise back into the school and the kids,” she said. “We have a great group of parents, and the school staff works with us to figure out the best way to help the kids.”

Past PTO projects have included installing playground equipment, funding a custom outdoor learning patio and supporting the Legacy Patio, which will include cornerstones from the Mineral City, Bolivar and Newcomerstown elementary schools. The PTO also supplies volunteers for events such as Boo at the School and Affordable Christmas, and reimburses teachers up to $50 for classroom items.

The group’s biggest fundraiser is the spring Walkathon, which raised $29,000 in its first year and $41,000 last year. Together with other efforts, Hoy said the PTO contributed $70,000 toward the elementary school’s basketball court.

Tusky Valley Elementary is located on the district’s multi-school campus at 2633 Tusky Valley Road NE, Zoarville.