Round Hill
Crisis management, the festival agenda
By Susanne Kahler
Crisis management: In light of this week's news concerning concealed handguns being brought into the school office in the handbag of a RHES parent, I would like to send a heartfelt thank-you to the office staff and administrators of the school. We always wonder how we might react under similar circumstances. The staff and administrators exercised sound judgment, followed safety procedures and handled the matter as calmly and professionally as possible.
Having been a Round Hill elementary school parent since the school first opened, I know that the staff and teachers there are personally involved and concerned about every student's welfare and that my child could not be in better hands each day. Together parents and schools can strive towards giving every child a safe and secure foundation to send them forth into the world free of fear and full of hope.
Festival: Round Hill is gearing up for the sixth annual Hometown Festival, which will be held on Saturday, May 24. The all-day festival begins with a 5K race through the streets of Round Hill. The race starts at 8 a.m. at the Round Hill Elementary School. A ½-mile fun run for kids will be held on the school's track immediately following the end of the 5K.
A 10:30 a.m. parade down Main Street will end at the town park, where most of the day's festivities are located. A memorial ceremony featuring a wreath-laying ceremony follows on the town park stage at 11 a.m. Musical entertainment and carnival games will begin immediately after the ceremony and continue in the park throughout the day. A Round Hill Memories roundtable discussion will be held in the town office at 1 p.m.
Local adult, child and celebrity contestants will face off in the festival's pie-eating contest at 2:30 in the town park, followed by the Down Hill Derby car, scooter and skateboard races down North Locust Street at 4 p.m.
This year, the popular community feast on Main Street has been moved to the town park, where diners will be serenaded by the Chorus of the Old Dominion. The dinner, catered by Savoir Fare, will feature favorite picnic foods. Advance reservations are recommended, as this event sells out annually.
The festival culminates with an evening concert in the town park featuring the McGinley Family Singers. The post-picnic entertainment is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Lawn chairs or blankets are encouraged.
Parking in Round Hill is limited but is available at the Round Hill Elementary School and Woodgrove Park. A courtesy shuttle provided by the Little Lambs Preschool will be operating in a loop around Evening Star Drive, Main Street and East Loudoun Street throughout the day.
Additional information on the day's events, including registration information for the 5K, derby, and picnic dinner, can be found online at www.hometownfestival.org.