PEP Fest organizers could not have asked for a more picture-perfect day for their 2024 event, held Saturday, May 18, at the Washington School playground. The annual festival is a family-focused, free event to celebrate the end of the school year and raise PTA funds to support all Evanston-Skokie District 65 students.
Hosted by the PTA Equity Project (PEP), the fundraiser featured arts and crafts, games and a raffle with prizes donated by vendors, local businesses and community partners.
Attendees of all ages walked along the school’s tree-lined paths, enjoying the company of friends, neighbors and classmates. Vendors featured a wide array of handmade crafts, clothing, jewelry, delicious food and sweet treats. The warm, sunny weather was ideal for the outdoor event.
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Vendor, volunteer, collaborator and sponsorship opportunities abound at Saturday’s PEP Fest. Credit: Heidi Randhava ![]()
Mom Carrie Bradean celebrates the end of the school year with sons Matei (left) and Andrei. Credit: Heidi Randhava ![]()
First-graders Alice O’Connell (left) and Leighton Hulse work side by side. Credit: Heidi Randhava ![]()
Evanston Public Library staff members offer giveaways and information about library programs. Credit: Heidi Randhava ![]()
Students decorate wood letters that spell “Chute Middle School.” Credit: Heidi Randhava ![]()
Attendees create ribbon wands and painted rocks at the PFLAG table. Credit: Heidi Randhava ![]()
Pages Reed-Alexander (standing left) shares information about the Right at School program with students. Credit: Heidi Randhava ![]()
“Upcycled Albatross” features decorative art created from recycled paper and tin. Credit: Heidi Randhava ![]()
Lola Perez selects some handcrafted items at the Ten Thousand Villages booth. Credit: Heidi Randhava ![]()
Awe-Sauce founder Verzell James (right) offers attendees samples of his 12 varieties of hot sauce. “Many of the herbs used to make them are grown in my garden,” said James. Credit: Heidi Randhava ![]()
Londyn Perkins, 8, visits the YMCA table. Credit: Heidi Randhava ![]()
From left, Alissa Soriano, Ava Bonilla Worsley and Tea Bonilla Worsley enjoy PEP Fest. Credit: Heidi Randhava
PEP chairperson Meghan Shea and communications chair Courtney Burke have organized the event for the past three years.
“This is all related to the One Fund at District 65,” said Shea, who explained that all the money raised in collective fundraisers throughout the year “goes into one pot, and is redistributed through the PTAs at the schools, based on both equity and equality. Schools with a higher free and reduced lunch population receive a little bit more in the equity weighting.”
Local vendors, sponsors, collaborators, raffle donors and volunteers contributed to the collaborative effort across the district to address disparities in PTA fundraising and help ensure greater equity for students.
Community members connect, collaborate, celebrate at PEP Fest is from Evanston RoundTable, Evanston's most trusted source for unbiased, in-depth journalism.