Ideas for centrepiece event at summer fete needed

[cnaik]

Our school summer fete involves a fair on the local green and this years theme is the World Cup. Last year we had a funfair but the providers brought their own greasy food stalls and there were lots of complaints about how expensive it was (and we didnt get the money from the rides just the pitch). So, they are not invited this year but we do need something to draw the crowds. Already have bouncy castles and were thinking about petting zoo/donkey rides. Any other ideas you brilliant mumsnetters?

bird of prey show/fire engines/indoor based bouncy castle/magician

one event i heard of had an act that did levitation

Balloon race
Gym show/band
Fancy dress parade
Pet show
Penalty shoot out

we had a Dad who owned a building firm and he brought along a JCB and set up a game with traffic cones and footballs. People (Dad's and boys mostly) paid £2 for a go at moving balls from cones into a dustbin using the scoop on the digger. The fastest time won a prize, everyone got certificate.

We've also had dog agility type display which was fun to watch and had a replite roadshow type thing.

Dads! no idea where that rogue apostrophe came from

krispy kreme donuts do a fundraising offer - look on their website.

bungee running and other inflatable games.

We just had a fun day on the field for Scout group and the big hit of the day was a climbing wall, provided by the local council.

I suspect it was a big hit because it was free - they wouldn't let us charge but since we didn't pay I reckon that was fair enough.

We also got the mascot of the local footie team to come - cost £50 for an hour and he wandered round and people had their piccie taken with him but we could have made money with a penalty shoot-out or similar instead. That might be good on yr world cup theme!

You could also have a 5-a-side footie comp between teams if there are enough kids across the year who want to play. Or invite teams from neighboruing schools?

Family dog show - popular for people just watching and you may good money from entries. Ask you local dog club for help (they may run an agility ring as well).

local dance school and/or am/dram group
we also have a really good local shoalin group who will do displays.

Having helped organise a biggish fun day, my advice is write to EVERYONE. You'd be amazed what people can offer. The Sealed Knot came, the local fire station normally has things they can bring, local museums often do outreach type stuff. Police, healthy eating partnerships (we had a smoothie making bike). Just be cheeky and ask people what they can offer