The Helena Education Foundation is hosting its annual Carnival Classic on Sunday, September 13, at Memorial Park. Admission is free, and the event serves as both a community celebration of public education and the unofficial kick-off to the new school year for Helena students and families.
Student organizations, parent-teacher organizations, athletic teams, academic clubs, and other school-affiliated groups host games and activities throughout the event, making it one of the more participatory community gatherings on the fall calendar. The format puts student groups in the role of organizers rather than spectators, which has made the Carnival Classic a genuine showcase of the breadth of Helena's public school programs.
The Helena Education Foundation supports Helena Public Schools through grants, scholarships, and community fundraising. The Carnival Classic is one of its highest-profile public events of the year, drawing families from across the city to Memorial Park for an afternoon that doubles as a soft introduction to the school year ahead. Families looking to connect with their children's schools, teams, or organizations before the first bell rings will find most of them represented on the park grounds.
The event is free and open to the public. Memorial Park is located along Last Chance Gulch at the north end of the Walking Mall.