Five Acre School 10th-annual Barn Dance Fundraiser

When: 2 p.m.-late Saturday, March 3

Where: The Big Barn Farm, 702 Kitchen-Dick Road, Sequim

Cost: Tickets/wristbands $5 2-5 p.m. $20 5 p.m.-late. $20 day and evening, 12 and under are free; on sale at door

Parking: Parking, free shuttle at Pumpkin Patch, 260045 US Highway 101; handicap-only parking at Big Barn Farm

More info: Call 360-681-7255 or visit www.facebook.com/events/265935840598448/

Note: Proceeds benefit Five Acre School Tuition Assistance and Special Equipment Fund

In early March, the Five Acre School Parent Service Organization hosts The Five Acre School 10th-annual Barn Dance Fundraiser, featuring music, magic, and family activities. In the afternoon, there will be dancing to Joy in Mudville, a raffle and silent auction prizes in the evening.

This family fun event kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Big Barn Farm, 702 Kitchen-Dick Road in Sequim, with the school’s Sound Waves Marimba Band, followed by a performance from magician Jeff Evans, DJ MayMay and the Frizz Kids Dance Hour and Pappenspiel paper puppet theater.

Daytime activities include a large Kids Tinker Zone, face painting, bake sale, Chroma Flight Green Screen Flying Experience and more.

Food will be served all day, featuring Maggie May’s Espresso & Outfitter food truck and Pacific Pantry. A bake sale also will be held until 9 p.m.

The bake sale this year will feature homemade treats such as cookies, brownies and pie. The saloon, featuring beer from Fathom and League, wine from Harbinger Winery and cider from Finn River, opens at 5 p.m. as Joy in Mudville prepares to take the stage by 6 p.m.

“It’s really about bringing the community together,” says James Starr, Barn Dance manager and PSO Chair. “Five Acre School really balances the best practices in modern education and we want to bring together the community at large together to celebrate that.”

Last year, Starr estimated 1,100 people were in attendance for the whole day. He believes the attendance of the dance has significantly increased in the past couple of years.

Starr is hoping the event will support the Parent Service Organization’s commitment to the Five Acre School Tuition Assistance Fund.

“The Barn Dance Fundraiser itself boosts our Tuition Assistance fund so people from all walks of life can attend this wonderful school,” he said.

An eclectic silent auction featuring prizes such as handmade quilts, snow and surf boards, themed baskets, service certificates from local businesses, and students’ artwork will be some of the many prizes up for bidding.

The raffle this year features package values of an average of $500, including an overnight trip to Victoria, Great Outdoors Adventure Kayaking with an Elwha Airbnb stay, Taste of the Peninsula with more than a dozen restaurant certificates, and Waters West fly fishing trip.

Five Acre School is in the process of transitioning into a nonprofit organization.

Kristin Smith, nonprofit board chair, said “Transitioning to non-profit governance will allow us to increase the stability of the Five Acre organization, provide a framework for the longevity of Five Acre School, respond to the needs of our greater community, form partnerships with other educational institutions and non profit organizations, and give us access to funding and networks to support and share our educational model.”

Sponsors for the barn dance include Jim’s Pharmacy, Clallam Co-Working Space (The COW), Sunny Farms Country Store, Harbinger Winery, Aspire Academy of Expressive Arts, Olympic Custom Construction, Tracy’s Insulation and The Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter.

New to this year’s event, guests may park at The Pumpkin Patch and take a free shuttle to the event provided by The Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter. Tickets are $5 from 2-5 p.m. and $20 5 p.m.-late or for an all-day pass. Children 12 and under are free.

Five Acre School is enrolling students for the 2018-19 school year. For more information, contact Five Acre School at 681-7255 or visit fiveacreschool.org or facebook.com/fiveacreschool.

For “The Five Acre School 10th Annual Barn Dance Fundraiser” event page, visit www.facebook.com/events/265935840598448/.