By Lane Chevrier

I couldn’t believe it. The principal of my school was perched precariously above the dunk tank. This was the moment I had never dreamed would come. I surrendered my ticket and took hold of the three beanbag sacks I’d soon toss at the red and white metal target. Looking skinnier now, and less menacing in a simple bathing suit and shivering a little in the wind, the head of my school and I locked eyes. Something passed between us in that moment. This is it. I wound up and let loose the first sack. It spun past the target wide. Second one: same as the first. Blast! The principal shifted confidently on his perch. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I wound up, looked ahead, and let my last round of personal ammunition go. The sound echoed in my ears as the aluminum target gave way and for a split second the principal sat suspended over nothing, a genuinely surprised look on his face before he splashed.

On June 18th from 3:30-7pm, the James Bay Community School Centre on 140 Oswego St. launches into the summer season with its 8th annual community picnic and fundraiser! For those of you who have never been, each year the event joins community members for an afternoon of fantastic music and entertainment, tasty and affordable food, imaginative arts and crafts, energizing games, and a fabulous silent auction. The cost is free to attend, with food and activity tickets available at a cost of $1 each.

Among the activities for the children there will be, of course, the infamous dunk tank, face painting, a bouncy castle, an arts and crafts table to be run by the 4 Cats Arts Academy, and a fish tank! (I loved the fish tank…) There will be a tie dye T-shirt booth where you can make your own colourful memento, and the day’s menu includes burgers & hot dogs (with vegetarian options), cotton candy, snow cones, and popcorn! Wow!!

And for the parents and adults, there’s even more fun for you, too. This year’s featured artists are acoustic folk and blues singer/songwriter Ted Tanner and the interactive rhythm group Masala Samba! (others to come) The main event of the day will be the silent auction. All prizes are donated by local businesses in James Bay, and 100% of the proceeds will go to help run the programs at the community center.

Prizes include: multiple restaurant gift certificates, a two person roundtrip on the Victoria Clipper, a Scenic Chairlift coupon for Mount Washington Alpine Resort, and dinner for two at the Empress Hotel. There will also be free ice cream for a year from Island Farms (!), a twelve inch Harry Potter action figure, and two children’s bicycles!! (Idea: keep the kids distracted while you bid on the free ice cream for a year. It’ll be your own little reward, eh?)

Contact Dana Allan or Alex Dominiak at youth@jamesbaycentre.ca, or 389-1470, and check out the JBCSC website at www.jamesbaycentre.ca.

The James Bay Community School Centre is completely non-profit, so this is a great way to show your support, entertain your family, eat yummy food, and generally have a good time. Join us and make the 8th annual picnic an unforgettable activity for children and families in the community. Who knows, maybe you’ll even dunk someone!! ;)