Bethlehem School will be bulging with activities for young and old on Friday, April 4, when it hosts its Twilight Gala fundraiser from 4pm-7pm.

PTA spokesperson Jane Wright said a range of activities had been lined up – with some to be run by the school’s students themselves.

“Our main attractions will be pony rides, a jousting ring for older kids, a small bouncy castle which will be free for preschoolers, a Powerfarming tractor offering ”train" rides, and a smash palace.

“This is where we get a heap of old chipped and broken crockery, and kids pay to smash it. That’s always a hit!

“We also have a dunk tank – it’s a massive tank filled with water. A person sits at the top and if ball-throwers hit a target the person falls into the water. Many of the school staff and community members will be volunteering for this fun event!”

Other activities will be a ping pong toss, ten-pin bowling and a sandpit treasure hunt. A book sale will offer picture books for preschoolers and graphic novels for juniors through to fiction, adult novels, cookbooks and gardening and parenting books.

Wright said food stalls will be on-site, selling delicious morsels. “Sausage sizzle, hot dogs, burgers, curry, popcorn, candy floss, ice cream and sweets will be for sale.

“There will be raffles plus a silent auction, which we have heaps of really cool items to bid on including vouchers for Pilates, haircuts and Bethlehem Butchery!”

“For entertainment we have kapa haka, Jump Jam and our Bethlehem superstars performing, who are all school students. An Irish dance group is also coming to perform.”

Wright said the main change from tradition is the cow dump attraction had been swapped for a “pony plop”.

“Our new ‘pony plop’ will run the same way the cow dump did – and it will happen the following Tuesday, April 8. Tickets are on sale now and first prize remains $2000, with eight prizes of $200 for being the closest surrounding parts of the grid."

Wright said funds raised from the gala will go to upgrading the school’s pool changing area. “The pool is a real hit with the school’s 400 students in Terms 1 and 4 and the changing rooms need a good refresh!”

Bethlehem School’s Twilight Gala is 4pm-7pm on Friday, April 4, at 66 Carmichael Rd. Entry is free.