The Homewood community gathered Oct. 25 to celebrate the Fall Festival hosted by Hall-Kent Elementary. The event, which marked its 80th anniversary in 2025, serves as the single largest fundraiser for the school.
Fall Festival is an opportunity to enjoy rides, games, raffles and a silent auction, offering activities for all ages. Beyond the attractions, however, the festival offers a means for students to get together outside of a classroom environment.
Junior and Hall-Kent alumnus Nathaniel Siegel volunteered during the festivities, noting that his favorite part is the social element.
“[I enjoyed watching] kids having fun being kids, having fun with their friends, probably the social aspects of it,” Siegel said. “That matters more so than the actual rides or activities.”
The festival also plays a critical role in providing the elementary school with supplies throughout the year.
“It’s our largest fundraiser,” said Hall-Kent principal Jill Walden. “We have a few other things we do like the color run or the talent show, but this is definitely our biggest fundraiser. It’s just another way to bring our community together and have a good time.”
Nearly 100 volunteers signed up to help run the event.
Local businesses also participate, highlighting the festival’s community focus. Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics, a regular attendee, had a booth set up for the day.
Orthodontist Joel Stewart explained why supporting the festival is important to him and his coworkers.
“Well for us, it’s just trying to be part of the community that we treat and that we see,” he said. “We love to be able to come out here and kind of give back a little bit.”
Families throughout the Homewood City school system attend each year, making the festival a significant fall tradition bridging ages and school zones.
“It’s involving the entire community,” Walden said. “I’ve seen kids from Edgewood and Shades Cahaba. Most of our community comes to the fest and it’s just a time that we can get together with the parents and the students and all just have a fun time together.”
