Organizers of the End of Summer Bash on Aug. 26 were pleased with the response to a fundraiser that came together within a month and are considering running it again next year.

Held by the Friends of Fireside School Society at Mitford Park, the event provided an afternoon of fun for families and they couldn't have asked for much better weather. There were carnival games, bouncy castles, battle balls, facepainting and 4Cats Art Studio offered children a chance to have some fun with paint. There were raffles and silent auctions and a vendors market frequenced by adults. Food was also available from Save-On-Foods and Menchie's.

The party was held to raise money for an inclusive playground at the Fireside School and society president Laura McDonald believes they met, if not exceeded, their $5,000 fundraising goal.

“Our boxes are still sealed, but people we so generous I feel like we're close to our goal, if not over it.”

“We've been steady for the full four hours and we couldn't be happier.”

At the heart of the event was to start the ball rolling on the huge fundraising task ahead for the playground. The society had previously met with all approved vendors of Rocky View Schools and have narrowed it down to two choices. Onsite were representatives of the two finalists ready to answer any questions on their designs. Those at the party had a chance to vote on their preference.

Selecting the playground vendor is the next step for the society.

“Once we choose playground we can start to approach corporations. We want to show them our playground, how fantastic it will be, as well as the budget assigned to it.”

The next fundraiser is a bottle drive on Sept. 30 and more events will begin when the school opens.