Autumn is in the air. That means pumpkins, Halloween and Miami Lakes Educational Center’s (MLEC) Harvest Fest. If there is one event that all MLEC students look forward to, it’s Harvest Fest. It is the most anticipated carnival and school dance of the year. This year, it is scheduled for Friday, October 19.
“It’s like one big, happy, feel-good thing for the kids, the neighborhood, the school and the clubs,” said John Moffi, the Social Studies department chairperson and Student Government Association (SGA) sponsor.
Harvest Fest is a celebration of autumn, a very typical event in northern states, but not so much in tropical South Florida. While the temperature may still be a muggy 85 degrees, MLEC’s gym is transformed to an autumnal oasis. The event attracts students from throughout the community, which is why it is so large compared to other dances.
“The lights, the music, the people...it’s all so amazing,” said Stephanie Fages, an MLEC sophomore who attended her first Harvest Fest last school year. “I find it so beautiful how one school can come together for just a dance.”
There was no need to worry about what to eat, because tables lined the gymnasium. Several clubs used this large event as an opportunity to raise money for their organizations. Besides food stands, other clubs have alternative ways to raise money. The drama club put together a haunted house, which was in the auditorium last year as well. Despite this seemingly harmless location, the drama club drew out quite a few screams with their eerie theme.
So, not only are there many different food options like pizza, fried Oreos or Slushies, but even a haunted house provided support to various student activities and clubs.