Volunteer Jennifer Ruth (left) and VGF co-chair Bryn Smutz
Volunteers make VGF happen!
Cougie with Parents' Association President Stella Alexander
VGF co-chairs Bryn Smutz (left) and Karen Berson at Friday Frolic

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Annual Village Green Fair Draws Big Crowd

4/22/2017

Collegiate School held its annual Village Green Fair this morning, despite clouds and lingering showers. Organized by the School’s Parents’ Association, the spring tradition serves as the School’s largest fundraiser as well as a fun community-building event.

Since this year’s event fell on the globally-recognized Earth Day, the 2017 VGF Committee chose Planet Cougar as the fair theme.

The 52nd VGF began at 8 a.m. with a Fun Run on the Jim Hickey Track and featured student, family, faculty, staff and administration participants.For the rest of the day, hundreds of attendees strolled around the Lower School as they enjoyed games, rides and inflatables, the Shops on The Green, The Garden Shoppe, the Classy Cougar Market, sweet treats, a dodgeball tournament, a lip sync battle and raffle prizes!

Dawn Greene, carried a cake her Kindergartner had won in the cake walk. As her 5th Grader roamed around on her own, Mrs. Greene said how much fun the event was for her younger daughter.

“For her, it’s about coming with her older sibling, wearing her T-shirt and being able to participate,” she said. “And every year there’s always something different, a new ride, the latest trend.”

FIfth Graders Colton Parham and Jack McGill surveyed their options as they arrived at VGF and looked forward to the afternoon.

“It’s a chance to hang out with our friends,” Colton said.

First Grader Linley Catoggio said she loved the Meltdown inflatable the best before she ran off to another attraction. Her mother, 2nd Grade teacher Jessica Catoggio, chased after her.

“She’s having a great time,” Mrs. Catoggio said.

The day (and the previous day’s Friday Frolic) takes nearly 500 parent and 200 student volunteers to pull off. It’s a monumental task, but one that the Collegiate community enthusiastically embraces, say Bryn Smutz and Karen Berson, VGF co-chairs this year.

“Planet Cougar would not be possible without our amazing committee members — 46 in total — who deliver all the fun people have come to expect from VGF,” said Mrs. Smutz.

Mrs. Berson remarked how the committee had worked for nine months to plan VGF with the support of the community and the help of many volunteers.

“This event is so important for the school,” added Mrs. Berson. “We wanted it to be special for the children. And the weather did not hold us back.”

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