Stonewall Jackson boosters club holds fall bash

The grounds and interior of Stonewall Jackson High School was turned into a Fall Boo-sters Bash on Saturday.

Presented by the Stonewall Jackson High School Boosters, the event’s activities included two haunted houses, live DJ music, a farmer’s market, miniature train rides, a moon bounce and fire engine slide, stick-wall, games, food, a “ghastly” jail lockup, community civic groups and more than 20 specialty vendors.

Catherine O’Connor, one of the primary organizers of the event, said all proceeds go directly to benefit the school’s student athletics and activity programs.

“We had a much larger turnout this year than last, when we held our initial event in the parking lot of Best Buy. The students, I believe, feel much more comfortable holding the event on the grounds of their school than away from it,” said O’Connor.

She said about 45 different school groups participated. Some students sold food, others decorated and dressed up in costume for the haunted houses. The less scary of tht two — Casper’s House — was geared toward younger children, while older children and adults enjoyed the SJ Screamific House.

“It’s been a great event. We got good support from the community. Everyone seems to be having a good time,” said Principal Richard Nichols, who is in his second year at the school.

Nichols even took part in the pie-throwing contest.

He got a lot of his students to participate by telling them, “You’re scared to hit me.” Many students took on his challenge and he took many pies right to his face.

Kevin Turner, activities director, was also a good sport, “talking trash” to students to step up and hit him. The booth was probably one of the best money makers of the day.

“As long as someone volunteered to take a pie in the face, we were busy all day,” said Eric Nesheim, vice president of the boosters, who watched over the booth throughout the day.

Among the spectators at the event were Amy Steeples with her two children, Holly, 8, and Nolan, 5.

“While we have enjoyed many of the games, our best part of the day was digging into a hot dog,” she said. Visitors could choose from such food booths as Uno’s, Dominoes, Dunkin Donuts, California Tortilla and Subway. Major sponsors were Miller Toyota, Vulcan Materials and C2 Education.

O’Connor said the school groups can use the money raised during the event “any way they want to,” such as going on trips, going to camp and purchasing uniforms.

“We feel the Bash is an excellent way for the students and the boosters to meet each other and at the same time raise much-needed funds. It’s been a real cooperative effort,” O’Connor concluded.

Last year about 1,400 people attended, but O’Connor said that figure was easily doubled this year.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.