By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
The Annual Sacred Heart Catholic School (SHCS) Fall Fest returns with food, music, games and more at 209 E. Greenwood St. on Friday, Oct. 16, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Fall Fest, which will be free to the public, is being put together by the SCHS crew for the first time after a long hiatus. SHCS Principal Julie Ricks spoke with The 830 Times early in the week to give information on the school’s fall event, which she mentioned was brought back by SCHS last year.
Ricks said the Fall Fest was brought back by popular demand from past SCHS alumni asking about the festival throughout the past couple of years, which she added was a “big (event at SHCS)”
“We invite the entire Del Rio community to join us. We want everyone to know that everyone in Del Rio is invited because we have been working so hard to make this (event) not just for our students and families, but for everybody to have a fun evening,” Ricks said.
The festival will have over 10 food trucks and a DJ playing music on site along with many activities, including cake walks, bouncy castles and a miniature train for children to ride on. Ricks said one aspect that makes the Fall Fest special is the involvement of all the teachers and parents, who will host different game booths on Friday evening.
One special part of this year’s festival is that members of the school’s parent-teacher club (PTC) will be adding a “Willy Wonka’s Candy Trail,” inspired by the books from Roald Dahl, which involves five candy-themed stations with staff dressed as characters from Willy Wonka giving away candy and treats to the children who attend.
While admission for the Fall Fest is free to the public, people need to purchase tickets for the games, food from the school’s staff and the “Willy Wonka Candy Trail.” An ofrenda, a Mexican altar for Day of the Dead, will be set up for families to honor their loved ones who have passed away.
A costume contest will also take place at the festival with cash prizes for first, second and third-place winners. Ricks said there will be three categories, which include the funniest, the most creative and the best overall costumes.
Ricks said SHCS is at full capacity this year, and added that she believes Sacred Heart is a huge part of the Del Rio community. While the Fall Fest is a fundraiser for SCHS, Ricks said the goal of the event is to “bring families together so they can create memories with their children and celebrate our wonderful community.”
