The Fifth Annual Carlin Country Market was held under sunny skies last Saturday, May 23.
Organizers have called the event a resounding success.
“We saw nearly 1,800 people come through the gates on Saturday, and they were all having a good time,” says school principal Shane Corston. “There were young and old, neighbours and friends and families. It was great to see the community come together at our school.”
Carlin parent and one of the annual event’s many organizers, Heather O’Brien was also elated with the turn-out.
“Kids were running around for six hours with beaming smiles,” she says. “We added some new things to the market for the older kids this year and they were definitely good additions.”
O’Brien says some kids didn’t leave the laser tag game once during the daylong event.
Held every year on the Saturday after the long weekend in May, Carlin Country Market is the school’s only fundraiser.
Funds are raised in advance for the coming school year.
“The numbers are not all in yet, but we certainly raised more money than other years,” says PAC chairperson Carmen Massey. “People enjoy the market and are generous in their donations.”
Massey says sponsors really stepped up for our silent auction and people were generous in buying raffle tickets, ice cream, plants and garage sale items.
“The kids’ carnival really adds to the profits, too,” says Massey. “We have such a good time ourselves, and the community obviously loves the market. It seems to be a good formula for the school and the community, and we hope to host many more markets to come.”
Event organizers are handing out huge thank-yous to all the volunteers, participants, and businesses that made the market a success.
“It was a nice anniversary present, to have such a successful market for our fifth anniversary,” says Massey.