A homecoming float featured in the Columbia Academy Homecoming Parade several weeks ago will be part of a charity fundraiser at Gator Fest this weekend.
Madison McDaniel’s castle-themed float will be set up this weekend for photographs.
“We hope to have all of the area homecoming queens so that children can have their pictures made with them on the float,” Sandra McDaniel, Madison’s mother, said.
Madison McDaniel was Columbia Academy’s Homecoming queen and the float, along with McDaniel and as many of the other queens as are available, will be at Gator Fest from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at the Columbia Water Park.
“We had this idea to get all of the area homecoming queens together to meet the boys and girls,” Carlton Thornhill, one of the organizers, said. “We’ll also have several Disney characters, like Minnie and Mickey Mouse on hand. They can get their pictures taken for donations, which in turn will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”
Gator Fest begins with canoe races at 10 a.m. and continues throughout the day with a variety of vendors, food and entertainment. Admission is free.
“We just wanted to do something during Gator Fest with all of the schools,” Thornhill said. “We wanted to bring the community together and have the schools work together. Many students will be working at Gator Fest for community service hours for classes.”
Gator Fest will be held at the Columbia Water Park on Mississippi 35.
