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It's stools on parade at Lakes Community High School

You've seen Cows on Parade.

Since then, there's been pigs, dogs, horses and even fish painted and decorated for public display.

How about bar stools?

The Lakes Eagles Booster Club at Lakes Community High School is launching the first-ever "Stools for School" fundraising art project.

Thirty bar stools are getting decked out in a variety of themes related to the Lake Villa school's clubs, teams and organizations. The seats will be auctioned off at the club's annual fundraiser May 1.

The steel stools were donated by Crate and Barrel. Chipping paint rendered the stools "defective" by the store, and they were offered to Booster Club Secretary Tracy McGrath by a friend who works for Crate and Barrel.

"She asked me if I had any need for 30 stools," McGrath smiled. "I thought, hey we could do one of those Cows on Parade things and turn this into a fundraiser for the club."

The idea was a huge hit with Lakes High School community. McGrath said there was no shortage of ideas.

"The kids and teachers were so creative," she said. "It's really amazing what they've done with these."

Some were simple, others elaborate.

A stool decorated by the soccer teams is complete with soccer shoes, shin guards, net and soccer ball. Members of the Talon Club created a stool that included a mini football field complete with artificial turf and goal posts. The Evergreen Environmental Club covered their stool in ivy.

Judges will give awards for the most unique creations.

McGrath said the event is sold out already, which is good news. She expects the addition of the stools to raise even more cash than last year.

"With the added stools, we have more than 200 items for the silent and live auctions," she said. "We raised $22,000 last year and are hoping to top it this year."

Money raised is used to support not only athletic teams, but clubs and organizations too, McGrath said.

Minimum bids will be $10 for the stools, but McGrath is confident most will be sold for more than that.

"Our field hockey team decorated theirs in a Chicago Blackhawks theme," she said. "The Hawks are hot right now, thankfully. I'll bet we get at least $50 for that one."

The soccer team's entry included shin guards, spikes, ball and net. Vincent Pierri | Staff Photographer