SHELBURNE FALLS — After a successful inaugural event last year, Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Organization will host its second Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 4, to raise money for the sixth grade field trip to Nature’s Classroom.
From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., attendees can enjoy live music, peruse more than 40 vendor booths, sample local beer from Floodwater Brewing Co. and partake in games, including a cornhole tournament. The event will be held at the elementary school, located at 75 Mechanic St.
“We are thrilled to bring Oktoberfest back to Shelburne Falls,” Meghan Wells, president of the PTO, said in a statement. “This event is becoming a cherished community tradition. We hope everyone can join us for a day of celebration, community spirit and support for our students.”
Last year’s inaugural event became the largest single fundraiser in the school’s history, raising roughly $13,000 to support the annual sixth grade field trip. With more planning knowledge and more sponsors, organizer Flannery Geier said this year’s event will be bigger and better than the last.
“We know a lot more this time, and we have a lot more sponsors. … It’s incredible,” Geier said. “I think it’s a testament to how great last year’s event was.”
Geier said the event will have a bounce house, children’s games, and activities organized and run by some of the school’s sixth graders, as well as a cornhole tournament beginning at 4 p.m. Tournament entry fees are $20 per team, and the winning team will receive a trophy and $100 cash prize.
There will also be live music throughout the day and performances from Patten, The Survey, Fetch the Barnacles, The Snapdragons and Root Fiyah.
Attendees enjoy last year’s inaugural Oktoberfest at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School. Credit: CONTRIBUTED 
Music at last year’s inaugural Oktoberfest at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School. Credit: CONTRIBUTED 
Vendors at last year’s inaugural Oktoberfest at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School. Credit: CONTRIBUTED 
Attendees enjoy last year’s inaugural Oktoberfest at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School. Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Geier said the PTO decided to lengthen the event’s hours in hopes that people will stay longer, and get a beer and dinner. The PTO will be serving hot dogs and hamburgers, and other vendors will offer barbecue, fried dough and other classic festival food.
The PTO has set a fundraising goal of $15,000 to send the sixth grade class to Maine. Geier said the cost for transportation increased this year, but the PTO is confident it can raise the money needed, and hopefully a little extra to cover class T-shirts and a yearbook.
“The cost went up significantly for students, partially because the school district sold their bus. This year, we have to raise $4,000 to $5,000 more,” Geier said. “The goal is to fund the entire field trip with this one event. … We’re feeling really optimistic.”
Geier said the field trip is an important tradition for the sixth graders. It’s an “empowering” experience, and for some students, it’s their first time away from home.
“For some students, this is their first time going to the ocean and leaving the hilltowns,” Geier said.
The PTO came up with the idea of holding an Oktoberfest last year as a way to hopefully raise all the money needed for the field trip in one event. Geier said that previously, smaller fundraisers were held throughout the year, and holding one event eases the burden that fundraising can have on volunteers. She added that it is a fun fall event.
“There’s a lot of lovely seasonal activities, but there’s nothing dedicated to downtown Shelburne Falls, and having it be a school fundraiser really brings people out,” Geier said.
Admission to the event is free, and food, beverages and crafts will be available for purchase. Additionally, the PTO will accept donations, and as the organization is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donations are tax-deductible.
A rain date has been set for Saturday, Oct. 11.
For more information, visit bucklandshelburnepto.org.
