The Winnetka Children’s Fair has become part of what makes summer, summer — a time-honored tradition now in its 76th year — and the largest fundraiser for the Winnetka Community Nursery School, says WCNS Fair co-chair, Molly Murgatroyd of Glencoe.
The Winnetka Village Green was transformed into an extravaganza, an unofficial celebration of the beginning of summer. Rides for the whole family, included camel and pony rides, inflatables, arcade games, a giant slide, a newly added petting zoo, a eurobungy, a zip line and more. Musical entertainment, glitter tattoos, a balloon artist, 50/50 raffle, concessions, food, snacks, beer and wine were also available to attendees.
“Historically, we are a bunch of moms with kids enrolled at the school,” Murgatroyd said. “We plan the fair and then we come out and spend the whole week setting up the fair — which included setting up fencing and staking off electrical ride and attraction areas.”
Winnetka Community Nursery School has hosted the fair since 1945, organizers say, when it was held in the Ryerson family backyard. Since then it has become one of the most treasured childhood events to residents of the North Shore and beyond, and the community looks forward to the event each year.
“We are attending the fair for the first time and I am impressed with how much there is to do here for every age group, from toddlers to grade school kids to tweens, really something fun for everyone,” Amanda Taggart of Glenview said.
Andria Moen of Winnetka also attended the fair, bringing along her two children, Blake and Quinn.
“We are here to celebrate and support the Winnetka Community Nursery School, where my eldest daughter attended this year and where my youngest will start in the fall,” Moen said.
While the fundraising benefit of the event is great, with a target goal of $30,000 to be raised this year, funds will go back to the school to support, programming, building and capital improvements, and continuing education for teachers. The event, Murgatroyd says, is first and foremost a community-centered event for the community.
This summer, a group of dedicated WCNS parents coordinated more than 400 volunteers who worked side-by-side to give children an unforgettable experience.
The Winnetka Community Nursery School has served families on the North Shore since 1944. WCNS is a not-for-profit preschool offering half-day and extended day programming, as well as summer camps, for children ages two through five.
Fair merchandise was also on sale and is available on the Winnetka Community Nursery School’s website, at (http://www.winnetkacommunitynurseryschool.org/).
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Nick Odendahl was raised in Winnetka and says his favorite childhood memory was coming to the Winnetka Children’s Fair to celebrate the last day of school.
“I wanted my kids to experience this, the joy of a celebration about leaving the school year behind and setting out into summer,” Odendahl said. “Everything still looks great, but can’t help but remember some of the nostalgic games we participated in like the potato-sack slide, the candy castle, and watching the Winnetka Children’s Theatre perform, which were all highlights.”
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.