Boosters hope big rides equals big money for marching band expenses

By AARON HALE
3:53 p.m., Saturday, November 15, 2008
Naples Daily News

While many school programs are facing budget cuts, supporters of Estero High School Marching Band have decided new, creative fundraising ideas are fair game.

The Estero High School Band Boosters Carnival opened Thursday at the Estero United Methodist Church. The goal of the carnival is to raise money for the marching band, which is looking to place high in the Florida Marching Band Competition this year.

“Marching band can be expensive, and the kids work hard,” said booster Wally Cordell.

Reithoffer Shows, which provides carnival equipment nationwide, is providing amusement rides such as a carousel, a ferris wheel and the kind of rides that spin fast enough to make a weak stomach churn.

The idea of the carnival was the brainchild of booster vice president Peg Bishop and her husband, Roger.

“We were tired of doing just $500 fundraisers,” said Roger Bishop. “We wanted to make some big money, now.”

The booster club will get money from concessions, parking and 20 percent of all cash coming from amusement rides.