Carnival time at Homecoming

Hundreds of past, present and future Laguna Beach High students and other supporters attended the school’s second-annual community homecoming carnival on Friday before the game against Calvary Chapel.

Principal Don Austin launched the carnival last year to raise school spirit and bring a greater sense of community to the campus.

Austin estimated that more than $2,000 was raised this year — more than twice the amount raised during the first carnival.

“This was huge,” he said.

Carnival admission was included with football game ticket purchase.

Tickets to be exchanged for various games, activities and treats were sold on site by the PTA, two for $1.

The school newspaper joined clubs, teams and booster organizations in offering sweets, games and glow-in-the-dark necklaces at dozens of booths in the quad.

Bake sale tables were laden with cupcakes and store-bought brownies; kids at the Surfrider Club booth made their own frosted designs on surfboard-shaped sugar cookies.

“I love this,” said Theresa O’Hare, a parent and school board trustee who volunteered at the drama table. “It’s so small-town.”

Cheerleaders bedecked in flower crowns danced to Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl,” while other parents — including school board President Betsy Jenkins and her husband, Gary — served grilled foods and sodas before the game.

In one corner, kids calmly tossed water balloons and bean bags at jack-o’-lantern targets, while across the courtyard, a crowd gathered around a table where whipped cream pies were hurled in students’ faces; the funds raised will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The school also raffled prizes during the event.

At the Independent Film Club booth, visitors exchanged tickets for the opportunity to identify quotes from various movies, in exchange for prizes.

Jolie Spellacy, 16, said the club plans to contribute the funds it raises toward the construction of a media room at a South African community center.

Minutes before the football game, carnival attendees began swarming into the stadium.

One little girl who won a goldfish looked frantically about for somewhere to put her treasured plastic baggie before she went to the game; her mother’s crossed arms became a somewhat reluctant receptacle.

Although the Breakers lost the subsequent game to Calvary Chapel, attendees still went home with happy memories — and maybe a goldfish or two.