3RD ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL FAIR MARCH 26 AT RIVERVIEW ELEMENTARY IN LAKESIDE

Community Event Offers Food, Games, Music and Family Fun

March 7, 2011 (Lakeside) --Riverview Elementary School and Lakeside Union School District invite the public to attend the third annual Riverview International Fair on Saturday March 26th from 11a.m. to 5 p.m.. Learn about other culture from around the world, watch traditional country dances, play carnival games and taste exotic foods without leaving San Diego County. The community event, complete with silent auction, inflatable slide and wrecking ball, petting zoo, face painting and local vendor booths takes place on the grounds of Riverview Elementary School at 9308 Winter Gardens Boulevard in Lakeside.

All proceeds will benefit Riverview’s PTSA to provide field trips, assemblies, art, music and dance for Riverview students. For more information, please call (619) 390-2662 or go to http://rvptalakesideca.homestead.com/

“This year’s theme – Connecting Kids to Culture says it all,” said Nina Roosa, president, Riverview Elementary School PTSA, “Students will be performing dances from around the world, guests can play fun carnival games representing various countries and everyone can enjoy delicious food from across the globe. Also, there will be craft booths, a petting zoo, face painting, inflatables for the kids to play on and a fabulous silent auction. Not only is this event fun and not to be missed – but everyone will walk away having learned something new about another country or culture.”

Since Riverview Elementary School offers a Spanish and Mandarin Chinese immersion program, the International Fair was created to allow students an opportunity to learn more about and celebrate other cultures. In addition, the Fair helps raise money for the school allowing the students to participate in extra activities that have often been overlooked or cut during budget time.

Last year, more than 1,000 people participated in the Fair and organizers are hoping for a similar sized crowd this year. Since there is no onsite parking this year, a free shuttle service will be offered from Lemon Crest Elementary School. Sponsors for this year’s International Fair include James Fread - State Farm Insurance, Bay City Electric, Barona Resort & Casino, Viejas Casino, Alpine Rock & Block and KSON.

“I hope everyone will join the Riverview students and the Lakeside community for this wonderful event that celebrates diversity” said Venus Rodvold, Riverview International Fair organizer. “The International Fair is a great way to help our students and the community learn about the fun and exciting cultures that exist around the world.”

Riverview Elementary School’s purpose is to create a nurtured community of learners who will become tomorrow’s global citizens and leaders. Since the fall of 2006, RES has offered a Spanish immersion program for its students. Students begin participating in the development of a third enrichment language, Mandarin Chinese, beginning at Kindergarten. In 2010, Riverview began its Mandarin immersion program with Spanish as the third language.