The 26th annual Riverside Christian School Apple Festival was held in Washougal, Wash., on Oct. 9. Church members and school families volunteered for weeks to prepare for the largest school fundraiser of the year
These volunteers spent two Sundays in October making pies and dumplings. They baked and froze the 311 pies and more than 1,300 dumplings that were available for pick-up before and after the festival. On the day of the event, they served 160 dumplings and 20 pies for guests to enjoy hot out of the oven. All pies and dumplings sold out.
The event is the biggest fundraiser and outreach opportunity of the year for Riverside Christian School. All of the sales from the booths and activities and 10 percent of vendor sales directly benefit the classroom and the students. This year's funds will go towards helping pay for a remodel of the school's front entrance, adding a reception area. It will also cover and enrich a new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program at the school. Part of the project-learning program will allow students to use their technical skills to build a play area outside.
The Apple Festival has been a fixture in the community for 26 years. More than 1,000 people came to participate in the fall fun. Fun activities for kids included a petting zoo, a jumpy slide, games, face painting and balloon art. The cake walk, apple slingshot and pie-eating contests were also thoroughly enjoyed.
As part of the community service outreach program, students visited local businesses and handed out posters advertising for the upcoming festival. They followed up by distributing pies and dumplings to thank the sponsors.
"This event gives our school and church campus a chance to reach our community in a way that we normally wouldn't do. The families that visit the event come on our campus each year and get to observe us being a 'family community.' The students benefit tremendously from the involvement as well as the funds raised," says Heidi Kruger, Riverside Christian School principal.
The school's other large event is the spring school auction in April.
To learn more about Riverside Christian School, visit www.riversidesch.com.
Lloyd Logan, one of our sweetest vendors this year, sold his book full of his adventures, Run For Your Life.
Trevor Wister, Cody Dreyer, John and Tyler Bennett (not pictured) sell made to order burgers. This booth is a fundraiser for the eighth grade class trip.
Lynda Logan and Julia Scribbner are all smiles at the nacho booth.
One last slice of one of a warm apple pie.
Gale and Sharon Crosby brave the rain to share in their support of Riverside.
Heidi Kruger, Arylss Dixon, Lynda Logan, Tymi Wright and Loretta Rush are all smiles.
Mason Bennett pulls back with all his might on the apple slingshot. This was so fun for the kids.
Audrey and Kristina Richards pick out a pumpkin donut from the delicious treat booth run by Kim Bennett.
Pumpkin bowling is so fun.
The cake walk - a tradition for 26 years.
Torsten Kuerzinger enjoys his delicious caramel apple.
Avery Natiuk, Brooklyn Scott and Rayna Kutch sport a festival favorite: face painting.
The crowd goes hysterical, watching the pie eating contest.
The junior pie-eating contestants go for gold.
Larry and Tymi Wright dig in for a good cause.
Trevor Wister is a good sport, while Doni Fernandez laughs hysterically.
Larry and Tymi Wright, win for the cutest contestants.
Tendo and Tapo Tsukirai enjoy quality time at the Apple Festival.
