Hawthorne students celebrate last days of school at fun fair

Bruce Howard is on his second generation of family fun festivals at Hawthorne Elementary School.

The Wheaton man stood in the cafeteria Saturday as two of his grandchildren, Emorie, 6, and Auden, 4, twisted and turned in a game of, well, Twister, set up atop an inflatable Moonwalk.

"I raised my kids in this neighborhood, so this is very familiar to me," Howard said. "Just thought we'd come by and blow off a little steam."

More than 100 children from Hawthorne spent the day bounding through obstacle courses, getting their faces painted or trying their hands at one of several games set up in classrooms throughout the building. And outside, kids were able to take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the block.

Organizers planned the day around a Wizard of Oz theme, playing music from the movie on the school's public-address system and setting up cardboard cutouts of characters like the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion throughout the building.

"It's just a way to celebrate the end of the year," said Brad Marsden, one of the parents keeping watch over the action.

Kelley Syswerda spent the afternoon scurrying behind her four children as they darted from one classroom to another.

"For a parent, I always look forward to the kids playing the cake walk game," she said. "At least they'll win you some cupcakes."