After a rain delay the week before, the West Side Middle School Annual Fall Festival attracted hundreds from the school community on Tuesday night.
Teachers, parents and city officials, including Mayor Marian Galbraith, a retired West Side teacher, donned the school colors - red and black - and joined in to pass out food and meet with the school community.
Students and their families lined up to enjoy hotdogs, hamburgers, and a variety of other items donated by local businesses and families who attended the event.
The event, held for the first time this year at Washington Park, included two hayrides, a photo booth, a DJ, activities from the City of Groton Fire and Police Departments, and pumpkin decorating.
The idea behind the West Side tradition has always been to bring the community together, and that was more important than ever this year, with middle school consolidation. West Side welcomed over 250 new students (and their families) and nearly 35 new staff members.
It was extremely important to the returning staff that everyone in the West Side community feel welcome and this event was a big part of that philosophy. The Groton Education Foundation appreciated that philosophy and awarded West Side a $1,000 special middle school consolidation grant that funded a large portion of the Fall Festival.
Additional funding to help make the event a success was provided by grants from Groton Utilities ($1,000) and the Groton Elks Lodge ($500). The event was proof that although many changes have occured this year, the school and its community continue to live up to their motto: "West Side is the best side!".
The West Side PTO would like to thank all those who helped make our Fall Festival possible: The City of Groton Mayor's Office- Mayor Marian Galbraith, City of Groton Parks & Recreation Department- Director Mary Hill and her staff, City Clerk Deb Patrick, Building and Zoning Official Carl Smith, Police Chief Thomas Davoren, Youth Officer Bobby Harris, and City of Groton Fire Chief Nick Delia. Local businesses: Paul's Pasta, Domino's Pizza, Midway Pizza, Subway, Big Y, and Holdridges Nursery.
