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By Lelani Argueta, Laney Blasé, Ansley Dilling, and Lailah Ramsey October 17, 2017 CANTON, GA—Friday the 13th for most people means horror movies and harrowing tales of frightening stories.
But this year, Friday the 13th took on a whole new meaning as the cool, crisp, and comfortable evening played host to Cherokee Charter Academy’s (CCA) annual ‘Light up the Night’ event!
Light up the Night is an event that was started three (3) years ago to help raise money for the school, but more importantly, it was an opportunity to give internal and external vendors a
chance to showcase their products and services to the community in a safe and fun-filled environment. Kristie Barker, middle school Reading teacher, believes that the event is a great way
for people in the community to come together. “It gives families, staff members, and outside vendors an opportunity to get to know each other.” Christine Lemoine, PTC President, feels the
event is continuing to become something people in the Canton community look forward to. “Since its inception, the event has continued to grow and has become the must attend event for our
school. The popularity has grown so much that this year we had over $5,000 in pre-ticket orders!” As Coach Serrano, better known at Light up the Night as DJ Serrano, filled the night air
with the sounds of artists from Michael Jackson to Bruno Mars, students, parents, and patrons came out in droves to enjoy the many inflatables, grade level booths and activities, delicious
food, vendors’ products and services, live band and chorus performances by students, and last but not least, the inaugural haunted house! “This year was better than all the other years,”
said one CCA student. “Everybody loved the color runs, bouncy house, inflatable ball walk, and the haunted house!” And what would Friday the 13th be without a haunted house? So the middle
school staff converted a space designed for student events into an eerily looking house of horror and fright, which kept event goers intrigued where there was a line the entire night. “I
heard a lot of positive reviews.” said Mrs. Kinkead, middle school Language Arts teacher and one of the participants of the haunted house. “Teachers put in a lot of hard work to make it as
authentic as possible.” With all this excitement, students and parents alike were able to quench their hunger and thirsts needs with a few different options of food provided by local food
trucks. Foods from barbecue to po-boy sandwiches to pizza were all delightful treats for event goers to snack on while they perused the event! All of the vendors, including the food vendors
expressed how shocked, yet pleased they were with the turn out. One of the chefs from the Mama Dukes food truck said, “We did an event in a small town a few weeks ago, and there were more
people at this event than were at the small town event we attended. She went on to add, “We look forward to the opportunity to come back next year!” The CCA administration supported those
sentiments, as they reported the event reeled in over $11, 000. All of the proceeds from the event will go right back into the classrooms to support student learning. So it is no mystery why
vendors will be making sure they secure their spots early, for next year’s return! So if you missed the event this year, don’t fret. You will definitely have an opportunity to join the fun
and excitement next year as CCA will continue to light up the night each and every October!