On March 6, Lookout Mountain School welcomed families, friends, and community members for two of its most anticipated annual traditions, bringing generations together in support of the school and its students.
The day’s events kicked off with Grandparents Day, during which LMS grandparents and special guests gathered for musical performances, school updates, and classroom visits. Later that evening, at Night Out for Lookout, LMS parents and members of the broader community enjoyed a festive meal, live music, and opportunities to bid on memorable items and experiences through silent and live auctions.
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At the heart of both events was the shared purpose of investing in the future of LMS and honoring its legacy, both as a school and a generational gathering place for the Lookout Mountain community.

Making Memories and Building Space for the Future
Grandparents Day began with a warm welcome from Principal Emily Haney in the LMS auditorium, after which students took the stage for musical performances. Donned in western attire for this year’s theme - Saddle Up for Lookout - kindergarten through second grade students delighted the audience with a rendition of “Happy Trails,” while third- through fifth-graders sang “Keep on the Sunny Side.”

Following the performances, grandparents and special guests were invited to visit classrooms, where students proudly shared examples of their work and classroom activities. The cafeteria was open for refreshments, and many guests stopped by the library at the end of the event to purchase books dedicated in their student’s honor.

LMS parents Kellie and Hank Currin served as chairs for this year’s event, leading the planning and coordination with a team of parent volunteers, including Erin Brafford, Anna Williams, Laura Patterson, Lindsey Parks, Mary Catherine Hewitt, Kate Roebuck, and Elizabeth and Kennedy Griffin.

The afternoon also offered an opportunity for LMS and PTA leaders to provide an update on the school’s outdoor revitalization project, which is transforming the underutilized football field and surrounding area into a vibrant, multi-use space for students, families, and the broader community.

Phase One of the project comprised installation of new turf and lights, with construction well underway. The next phase involves integration of natural stone bleachers, designed to blend into the mountain landscape as a permanent place for gathering. Grandparents and special guests learned about the vision for this second phase, dependent upon sufficient fundraising, and generously offered their support with donations pledged throughout the afternoon.

Saddle Up for a Night to Remember
The celebration continued later that evening at Night Out for Lookout, LMS’s annual adults-only fundraising event. Event chairs Tracy Moore and Kim Fugate and assistant chairs Bronwen Wiggins and Lindsey Mitchell organized the event around the theme of the day - Saddle Up for Lookout. Guests arrived in western-inspired attire, ready to support the school while enjoying dinner, music, and community.

The silent auction, which opened online prior to the event, was set up indoors alongside a taco buffet, creating a lively space for bidding and gathering. Guests browsed and bid on a wide range of items, from sporting event tickets and concert experiences to spa packages, original artwork, and the always-popular fifth grade nativity. Western-themed student photos and picture ornaments decorated the space.

Outside, the event lawn was tented and thoughtfully arranged with tables, a stage for the band, and a dance floor. Fire pits and an electric bull added to the festive atmosphere. LMS parents and community members alike appreciated the expanded layout throughout the club, which allowed for more space to mingle, relax, and enjoy the beautiful weather.

LMS PTA president Jenny Tucker kicked off the live auction, thanking volunteers and energizing the crowd before turning the program over to professional auctioneer Victoria Underwood - her third year in a row supporting the event. Victoria enthusiastically auctioned off luxury trips and items, including a custom piece commissioned for the LMS community by artist Genesis the Greykid and a week-long stay at a stunning beachfront home on 30A - both of which drew spirited bidding from attendees. Adding to the excitement, for the first time the live auction also included a cockapoo puppy, which quickly became one of the most memorable moments of the evening.

The auction’s success was a direct result of the many generous community members and businesses who donated trips, luxury items, and experiences.

“We’d like to express our gratitude to our generous donors, our co-chairs, all of the volunteers who helped make this event possible,” said event chair Kim Fugate. “We’d also like to thank our amazing PTA president, Jenny Tucker, who shepherded us through the fundraising planning and execution.”

The paddle-raise portion of the night, which began immediately after the live auction, collected donations for phase two of the field revitalization project. The total raised surpassed all expectations, exceeding the needed amount to continue transforming the school’s field into a new venue and greenspace for the entire Lookout Mountain community.

“Our beloved school, including its teachers, staff, and our students, are the cornerstone of our community,” said Mrs. Tucker. “I’m incredibly proud of our Night Out for Lookout chairs and co-chairs and all the committee members who made this evening a success.”

The event wrapped up with live music spanning country covers to crowd-pleasing singalongs, led by the band Courtney Cowart and the Bad Matador. For the second year in a row, they kept the energy high throughout the evening, drawing guests to the dance floor until the very last song.

“The evening was a great success, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to come together and support LMS and our Lookout Mountain community as a whole,” said Ms. Fugate. “The total raised surpassed our expectations and will support operational needs at the school, as well as the new field bleachers.”

Together, the day’s events once again reflected what makes Lookout Mountain School so special: a deeply connected community, a shared commitment to students, and a tradition of showing up to build something meaningful for the next generation.

by Kirsten Yates

For over a century, Lookout Mountain School (LMS) has served not only as a place of learning, but also as a gathering place for generations of Lookout Mountain families. From skate nights to open library days to neighborhood events, the school has a rich history of bringing people together in fellowship and community.
Now, the LMS PTA, in partnership with LMS and the Town of Lookout Mountain, is continuing that long-held tradition by revitalizing the school’s field and surrounding outdoor spaces. Phase One of the project, which includes installation of a new turf field, is scheduled to begin this spring. Construction will be led by Baseline Sports of Knoxville - the firm that installed the turf fields at both McCallie and Baylor - with an estimated completion date of summer 2026.

As families come together to practice, compete, and cheer on local teams playing on the new field, LMS will once again serve as a community gathering space, building on roots that stretch surprisingly far back.   

A Vision Rediscovered
Earlier this year, LMS PTA leaders found a detailed landscape plan created for the school in 2000, shortly after the construction of the kindergarten wing.  With a nature trail, mountain stone hardscape, and a revitalized athletic field, the rendering provided a glimpse into how earlier generations imagined LMS’s outdoor spaces might evolve.

“We had no idea this existed,” said Jenny Tucker, LMS PTA president. “For more than 25 years, people on this mountain have been dreaming about how to thoughtfully use this space … and now we have the opportunity to help finish what was started.”

Born out of a collaboration between community members, the original plan was commissioned by former Lookout Mountain resident and LMS parent Susan Probasco, who at the time served on the PTA board overseeing house and grounds. Landscape architect Scott Colomb of Morehead, Ga., led the design through a connection made by local landscape designer Jimmy Stewart. Long-time gardening expert Martha Law and her son Grant Law also played important roles, with Grant gifting the rendering and Martha helping bring portions of the vision to fruition.

“The development of the original plan really was a team effort,” said Probasco. “Martha Law and Jimmy Stewart were my north stars. We had a blast working together.”

Though Colomb’s rendering was never fully realized, it is now serving as inspiration for the current revitalization plans, including the hardscape and additional community spaces surrounding the field.

“It’s so heartening to see this project move forward,” continued Probasco. “We were only able to complete a portion of what was envisioned, and I’m just so excited that LMS is now able to expand on what we started.”

Where School and Community Meet
Since opening its doors over 100 years ago, LMS has regularly offered the school’s spaces for public use. The teacher workroom once served as the town’s public library. The gym functioned as a community skating rink, open to residents outside of school hours. Even the rink itself was dedicated to Lookout Mountain community members who served in World War II - a reminder that the school has long reflected the lives and values of the community it serves.

“This school has always belonged to the community in a very real way,” Tucker noted. “Revitalizing the field and grounds is really about honoring that legacy and making sure future generations get to experience LMS in the same way.”

For Probasco, that sense of belonging is what has always defined the school. “LMS has always been such a special place for children to learn and grow,” she said. “It’s just full of love, which really allows kids to preserve their sense of self and community.”

Jimmy Stewart, now retired, echoed that sentiment. Over the years, Stewart lent his expertise to many of Lookout Mountain’s public spaces, including the gazebo on West Brow Road at Jane’s Garden and landscaping projects around LMS.

“The field project is a great use of the school’s space,” Stewart said. “It continues the tradition of designing places that bring people together.”

Building What Comes Next
While the first phase of the revitalization project is limited to sitework and installation of the turf field, future phases will add hardscape and planting designed to foster gathering and connection, including stone bleachers that blend naturally into the mountain setting.

The LMS PTA will be raising money for construction of the stone bleachers during the paddle raise portion of Night Out for Lookout, the school’s annual adults-only fundraiser coming up on March 6. This year’s theme, “Saddle Up for Lookout,” reflects the spirit of community participation that has helped make LMS the special place that it is today. PTA leaders are encouraging residents from across the mountain to attend.

“We want the community to know that this fun event is open to everyone,” said Tucker. “Together, we can turn a vision that began decades ago into a reality for our students and for future generations of Lookout Mountain families to enjoy.”
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by Kirsten Yates

​On the bright, sunny afternoon of September 30, the Lookout Mountain School (LMS) Carnival once again brought laughter, joy, and fellowship to the local community. The cherished fundraiser -  a tradition for more than seven decades and one of the biggest events of the year for LMS - drew crowds of families, friends, and alumni from across the mountain and beyond.
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The excitement started well before Carnival Day, with weeks of friendly class contests to collect donations for the Carnival booths. Students rallied in close competition, bringing in an incredible 1,156 stuffed animals and 861 jamboree jars - nearly breaking school records. Mr. Van Dillion’s third grade class topped the “Stuffies” leaderboard with 139 donations, while Ms. Jenah Cooper’s second grade class swept two categories, winning Jamboree Jars with 118 jars and the Costume Contest with 82 items contributed.

When the big day finally arrived, the celebration began with the much-anticipated Carnival Parade. Students lined up to march alongside parents and teachers at the end of the school day, officially opening the festivities at the Commons. This year’s Carnival King and Queen, first grader Clay Smisson and kindergartner Zahra Monroe, led the charge - a coveted honor bestowed upon the top sellers of Hamilton County Schools Coupon Books. Behind them marched the fifth grade class, proudly enjoying their final Carnival as LMS students.

In a new tradition, the fifth-graders were followed by the brand-new LMS Cheer Squad, a group of 32 second- through fifth-graders who energized the crowd with coordinated cheers and bright smiles as they made their Carnival debut.

Nearly all students and many of the teachers and parents proudly wore this year’s 2025 LMS Carnival T-shirt, which featured an LMS lion waving a bold red pennant with the word “CARNIVAL” beneath the headline “LOOKOUT!” Designed by talented LMS mom Addie Cramer, the T-shirts quickly became a favorite and were purchased by an impressive 97 percent of LMS families.

Once at the Commons, the crowd fanned out to enjoy all the traditional favorites: face painting, colorful hair sprays, bounce houses, and the ever-popular silly string booth. Shoppers flocked to the Costume Corner, Stuffie Tent, and Jamboree Jar tables to hunt for treasures.

The Carnival Kitchen remained a highlight for adults, offering homemade entrees, soups, and baked goods contributed by LMS families and community members. This year, LMS mom Sarah Ellis took over leadership of the Carnival Kitchen from veteran volunteer Lynn Brown, working hard to ensure its ongoing success.

“I’m so grateful for all those who supported Carnival Kitchen this year,” shared Mrs. Ellis. “We had so many friends and grandparents donate this year in addition to parents, all of whom are a huge part of this sweet tradition.”

By the end of the event, all 78 donated casseroles and 126 donated sides and breads had sold - raising more than $5,000 for the school.

This year’s Carnival chairs were LMS moms Lindsey Whittaker, Melissa Koehl, and Laura Cleary, who worked tirelessly alongside assistant chairs Sarah Stevens, Lyndsey Boeselager, and Erin Hart to coordinate dozens of volunteers and donations.

“We are so lucky to live in the community we do,” said Mrs. Whittaker. “Our community never fails to come out and support our kids and show us love. This event isn’t just for LMS families, and that showed in the number of Fairyland families who not only came out to support but also donated Carnival Kitchen items and spread the word. We couldn’t do it without our LMS family - our administration, teachers, volunteers - and our Public Works Crew.”

“It’s truly a community event,” agreed Mrs. Koehl. This year’s Carnival saw enthusiastic participation from grandparents and community members, many of whom staffed booths, painted faces, and served food - a reflection of the “it takes a village” spirit that defines Lookout Mountain.

As the afternoon wore on, hungry and silly-string covered kids enjoyed grab-and-go meals onsite before heading home, thanks to generous donations from Chick-fil-A, Mr. T’s pizza, the Munchery, and Clumpies. It was clear to all involved that this year’s Carnival was another record-breaking success for the school.

The LMS administration and Carnival organizers are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the event come to life - from the volunteers and families who attended, to the numerous local businesses that donated food and activities, to the Lookout Mountain town workers who ensured the field was ready for hundreds of students and family members to enjoy. The memorable collaboration once again proved that when it comes to supporting our local schools, the Lookout Mountain community shows up - with joy and gratitude.

by Kirsten Yates

This fall, many students joined the Fairyland Elementary School cross country team, all under the guidance of our wonderful Coach Hall! Twenty-nine runners from FES - students in third, fourth, and fifth grade - participate in the Chattanooga Track Club’s meets at Camp Jordan. This year, the organizers introduced race bibs with timing chips so that parents and coaches could keep up with the live race times. The race is a mile, and a total of 900 students from Tennessee and Georgia took part.

Our runners did an amazing job representing Fairyland! Their dedication throughout the season really paid off, with 15 runners setting personal records in the final race. Plus, four of our runners broke the seven-minute mark this year! What a fantastic season for our Fairyland Falcons!

The cross country runners were well-prepared for our second PTO fundraiser of the year, the Great Pumpkin Chase. Our fundraiser kicks off with a lively pep rally, during which Ridgeland High School cheerleaders lead the kids in cheers and excitement! There was also a race featuring some of our inflatable animal friends, and of course, the Great Pumpkin. This is a fantastic way to get the students pumped up for the race and encourage them to ask for sponsors.

The FES Great Pumpkin Chase event is student-led, with students asking for donations for their mile-run while they chase the legendary Great Pumpkin. This year, Richie Fletcher played the part of the Great Pumpkin, and he did a fantastic job. The kids had a wonderful time chasing the beloved Halloween character, and lots of excitement ensured. The race was followed by a fall celebration in our courtyard, where parents and students enjoyed refreshments after a long run. This year, we raised $25,000, which contributes to many of the things the Fairyland School PTO covers. We’re so grateful to all those who sponsored our students! 
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by Rebekah Montgomery

I am thrilled to bring back a column dedicated to Fairyland Elementary School in the Lookout Mountain Mirror. I hope this column will showcase the exciting activities at our school, fun fundraising events and the amazing achievements of our students. As an alumnus of FES, I have fond memories of my time there, and I’m excited to revamp this column.

We live in a truly special place, with fairytale characters as street names, a caring community, and parents and teachers who give so much of themselves to make our school what it is. FES is one of the many places that provide its students with a nurturing environment in which our children can reach for the stars. Our teachers are incredible, inspiring our students to challenge themselves and push beyond their limits.
Springtime at Fairyland School is in full swing! Our students have been busy with lots of exciting activities. In March, we hosted Missoula Children’s Theater.

Missoula is a traveling theater company that visits schools and educates students about theater and the performing arts while rehearsing for a play to be performed at the end of the week. This year’s play was “Hercules,” and it was an amazing experience for our students! 

The week after the play, we hosted our Fairyland Art Show, showcasing our students’ artwork for both their fellow students and the community to see. Lorelei Williams (fifth grade) won first place; Addie Stewart (fifth grade) came in second; Jane Willoughby (kindergarten) took third; and Joanna Jeremiah (second grade) received an honorable mention. We’re so proud of all our talented Fairyland Falcon artists! 

We hosted Grandparents’ Day on March 27 and 28, which is always a sweet day for our students and grandparents alike. On Grandparents' Day, our students get to play host and tour guide for their grandparents, showing them around the school and their classrooms. It is always a memorable day for all those who get to participate.

The Fairyland Festival, the last PTO Fundraiser of the year, took place in April. The Fairyland Festival is always the most anticipated event of the year by our students and the community. As a kid, I always loved going to the festival with my friends. We could send people to jail, visit our teachers at booths, and of course, indulge in all the sugar and prizes we could handle for a few hours. We want to thank everyone who supports the Fairyland Festival, making it so special and successful. 

We hope you all had a fantastic spring! Please look for the Fairyland Falcon column in upcoming issues so you’ll always be in the loop about all things FES.
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by Bekah Montgomery

The Lookout Mountain School (LMS) marked the beginning of spring with two of the most highly anticipated events of the year - Grandparents’ Day and Night Out for Lookout - which brought together the local community in support of the school and its students. Held on April 4, the events allowed LMS families and friends to visit the school during the day and then celebrate at a festive fundraiser that evening, all with an opportunity to donate to a recently announced, generational project for the community - the revitalization of the LMS field.

Without substantial updates since it was originally constructed around the 1960s, the LMS field has long been underused due to subpar conditions. The multi-phase project to revitalize it - the largest the school has taken on since the addition of the kindergarten wing in the 1990s - will open the field for more intensive sports training and games, both during school and for local recreational leagues, while also providing a venue for new sports on the mountain.

Led by a collaborative partnership between LMS, the LMS PTA, the Town of Lookout Mountain, and the Lookout Mountain Recreational Board, the revitalization’s first phase will include installation of a new turf field, lights, and bleachers - and it’s clear the community could not be more excited to kick it off. Through donations collected during Grandparents’ Day and Night Out for Lookout, LMS families and friends generously gave more than $150,000 to begin turning the ambitious vision into a reality for all to enjoy.

Connecting the Generations During Grandparents Day
LMS grandparents and special guests learned more about the revitalization plans during Grandparents’ Day, a beloved annual tradition that provides students and their loved ones an opportunity to connect during the school day through class performances and visits.

This year, more than 140 family members attended the afternoon event, which began with a packed assembly in the school auditorium. Principal Emily Haney provided a warm welcome to all before the students filed in for their musical performances. Kindergarten through second grade classes sang “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley, followed by a rendition of the childhood classic “Make New Friends but Keep the Old” by third and fourth grade students. The fifth grade class kept the beat with an impressive percussion ensemble, which included xylophones, wood blocks, drums, tambourines, and maracas.

Once the students returned to their classrooms, LMS grandparents Graham Burns and Zane Brown unveiled the plans to revitalize the LMS field. Together, they presented the details of the project while also providing a heartfelt, personal perspective on the potential for the new field to have a lasting, positive impact - not only on LMS students, but also on the entire community in the years to come. At the conclusion of the presentation, attendees graciously donated funds on the spot - a wonderful and incredibly generous demonstration of support.

The latter half of the afternoon event was dedicated to school tours, classroom visits, refreshments, and time for students to share and connect with their special guests. The children became “tour guides” for their grandparents, showing them their accomplishments in their homerooms and related arts classes before heading to the cafeteria for cookies and lemonade. Guests also had an opportunity to visit the LMS library, where many bought and dedicated books in honor of their students.

LMS parents Sally Lynch and Leland Wheland served as chairs for this year’s event, expertly leading the planning and coordination with a team of parent volunteers, including Leslie Gentry, Rebecca Heid, Mary Catherine Hewitt, Marie James, Adair Morse, Erin Simpson, Christy Smalley and Sarah Stevens.

“The students were so proud to show our school and their work to their grandparents and guests,” said Leland. “We’re incredibly grateful for all of the volunteers, LMS staff, and guests who made the day so special and successful.”

Rocking Out at Night Out for Lookout
After an action-packed school day, the festivities and generous support for LMS continued into the night at the school’s annual, adults-only fundraiser, Night Out for Lookout. Dubbed “Rock Out for Lookout” by this year’s chairs Hannon Doody and Meredith Kinney, the event was all about rock n’ roll - from a live band to the sleek, chic, red and black décor. Guests arrived in rock n’ roll attire to enter a transformed space in the Lookout Mountain Club’s Fairyland ballroom, complete with red carpet, draped black curtains, a mirrored bar, and red accent lighting. LMS students also helped set the scene by posing in advance for individual Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame photos, which were hung amidst a silver streamer backdrop in the entryway to the ballroom.

“Rock Out for Lookout was our chance to go bold for a cause and community we love, Lookout Mountain, and it’s bigger than just LMS. From the sparkly Hall of Fame to the energy on the dance floor, it all came together to create something truly electric for LMS,” said event chair Meredith Kinney. “The Lookout community delivered, and then some.”

Adjacent to the ballroom, items for the event’s silent auction - which opened online the week before - were lined up on tables along the walls to entice last minute bidding. From sporting events and excursions to beautiful original artwork and gift packages, the impressive array of items was increasingly bid on throughout the evening. The Summer Classics dining table and chairs donated by Fowler Brothers Furniture and the framed original art by award-winning artist and LMS mom Kate Roebuck attracted some of the highest silent bids of the night. Several other of the most sought-after items motivated a flurry of bidding down to the last minute before the auction closed - including the two clay nativity sets made by the fifth grade classes and the opportunity to make your student “principal for the day.”

Dinner was served buffet style with delicious sliders, salads, and fries, and guests soon made their way to the ballroom tables to eat and socialize. Kicking off the main programming for the evening, LMS PTA president May Burke welcomed the crowd and presented the exciting details of the field revitalization, which many parents and community members were hearing about for the first time. She then turned the mic over to professional auctioneer Victoria Meek, who led the live auction for the second year in a row. Victoria energetically auctioned off luxury trips to the Bahamas, Telluride, and Blackberry Farm (to name a few!) as well as an original work by artist Laura Roebuck, securing more than $28,000 in winning bids - all of which will be used to support staff positions at LMS.

The paddle-raise portion of the night, which began immediately after the live auction, collected donations specifically for the first phase of the LMS field revitalization project - and the total raised exceeded all expectations. Together, “Rock Out for Lookout” attendees gave more than $140,000 to help transform the school’s field into a new venue and greenspace for the entire Lookout Mountain community.

The event wrapped up with an incredible performance by the live band, Courtney Cowart and the Bad Matador. From soft rock and country covers to renditions of crowd-pleasing singalongs by Madonna and Chappell Roan, the band’s musical talent and showmanship turned up the energy at the end of the night, with attendees rocking out on the dance floor until the very last song.

Overall, with months of planning, coordination, and leadership by event chairs Hannon Doody and Meredith Kinney, assistant chairs Kim Fugate and Tracy Moore, and many other volunteers, this year’s Night Out for Lookout was an overwhelming success, raising more than ever before.

The LMS PTA and administration are extremely grateful for all the people who donated, bid, and volunteered to support the school. This year’s set-up volunteers included Hannah Harrell and Anna Williams; check-in volunteers were Lindsey Mitchel, Bronwen Wiggins, Melissa Koehl and Betsy Burns; and check-out volunteers were Charla Nix, Christy Smalley, Stephanie Gillison and Rebecca Cole.

“We are beyond grateful for the tremendous support from our dear community,” said event chair Hannon Doody. “We’re also excited to keep the momentum going and will be continuing to raise funds and plan for this very important project in the coming months. Thank you for your invaluable support. Let’s go!”

Community members who are interested in donating to support the LMS field revitalization can do so at www.nightoutforlookout.com, or contact May Burke, LMS PTA President, at mayburns@gmail.com for more information.
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by Kirsten Yates

A beloved local tradition for more than 70 years, the Lookout Mountain School Carnival has become one of the most important and treasured events of the school year. And this year’s Carnival was as memorable as ever.

On October 3, 2024, more than 200 students lined up outside the school, skipping and laughing as they paraded to the Town Commons to kick off the annual fundraising celebration. Heading up the parade were the Carnival King and Queen, first-grader Ford Jenkins and second-grader Magnolia Whittaker, who were awarded the distinguished honor for selling the most coupon books in the annual fall LMS Coupon Book Sale. Following close behind was the LMS fifth grade class, comprising 28 students who were both excited and thoughtfully reflective as they prepared to enjoy their last Carnival as LMS students.

The bright, sunny afternoon did not disappoint. The students rushed onto the field to find their favorite Carnival booths and purchase the items known to sell quickly - like jamboree jars and costumes. Some headed to face painting first, which always draws a line of students waiting to be transformed into animals and fantasy characters by several talented volunteers, including LMS grandmother and local painter Maddin Corey, who generously donates her time each year. Other returning favorites included the bounce houses and hay and pony rides, along with booths for pumpkin painting, hair spray, and duck pond fishing. And of course, the infamous booths for fake casts and silly string were not to be missed, as no Carnival is truly complete without bandaged up and silly string-covered students running free to their hearts’ content.

LMS parents, grandparents, and other community members were quick to flock to a favored Carnival staple for adults - the Carnival Kitchen tent. Each year, this booth sells delicious frozen entrees, soups, and appetizers, along with a wide variety of baked goods, all of which are donated by LMS parents and grandparents. LMS parent and Carnival Kitchen veteran Lynn Brown led the charge again this year, coordinating the donation and sale of more than 230 fabulous dishes and desserts and raising $4,500 for the school. Additionally, to make sure no one went hungry amid the excitement, there were ample grab-and-go options onsite, thanks to generous donations from Chick-fil-A, Mr. T’s pizza, the Mountain Munchery, and Clumpies.

Amongst these treasured Carnival favorites, one new table stood out. Days before the event, Hurricane Helene had ripped across Florida and up through the Southeast, leading to widespread flooding, road closures, and loss of power in dozens of hardhit communities. Western North Carolina was especially devastated, with unprecedented flooding that demolished critical infrastructure and cut off communication lines in and out of several widely populated mountain communities.

Knowing that many Lookout Mountain families would be gathering at the Carnival in the wake of the devastating storm, local couple Monica and Matt Dixon saw an opportunity to support Western North Carolina’s disaster relief efforts by organizing a drop-off station for donations at the event. As owners of the food service company What Chefs Want, the Dixons offered to haul the donations of non-perishable food and supplies to a temporary food bank in Cherokee, N.C.

With mere hours of notice, the entire community rallied together to support the cause. Tens of dozens of bags of food, infant supplies, toiletries, and paper goods were stacked in and around the donation table by the end of the day. It was a beautiful reflection of the giving spirit of our community, which shined even brighter amid the joy of Carnival.

As the day came to a close, many ofthose involved stopped to acknowledge the incredible efforts of this year’s Carnival chairs, LMS parents Beth Campbell, Kiran Eberle, and Laura Patterson. The event was held earlier than previous years, which meant preparation started within the first weeks of the school year. In addition to securing the many volunteers and donations needed to make the day a success, the Carnival chairs and assistants also organized three weeks’ worth of class contests to collect costumes, stuffed animals, and jamboree jars for the Carnival mini markets. The students were more engaged than ever, donating a record 1,300 stuffed animals - so many that the chairs decided to expand the size of the booth to accommodate the impressive assortment! Stuffed animals and costumes left over at the end of the event were added to the final load of donations the Dixon’s hauled to Western North Carolina.

“As chair of the Carnival this year, it was a pleasure to help create such a memorable event for the children of Lookout Mountain Elementary School. It is so inspiring to see a community, from large corporations to local small businesses to grandparents, give their time and talents to support the school,” said Carnival chair Beth Campbell.

​The LMS administration and Carnival organizers sincerely appreciate the widespread support of this beloved fundraiser. From the parent volunteers and families who attended, to the numerous local businesses that donated food and activities, to the Lookout Mountain town workers and recreation board who ensured the field was dry and safe for hosting the event, the entire community came together to make the day a success. The relationships built and memories created will keep shining and inspiring in the years to come.

by Kirsten Yates