Join us for Fun Night 2026, our annual evening of games, food, competitions, and community fun, designed for our K–8 crews, supported by our 9-12 crews! This is our biggest family event of the year, and everyone is welcome.
📅 Date: October 23rd
⏰ Time: 5:30–8:00 PM
📍 Location: Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
Fun Night requires no ticket. We are suggesting a donation of $10 per kid to help raise money to support Polaris programs. Every contribution goes towards supporting our students and school!
Each kid will receive a ticket for a slice of pizza, and water and lemonade are free for everyone. Additional pizza slices for kids or adults can be purchased for $2 each at the event. All attendees are welcome to taste entries from the Student Bake-Off and Chili Cook-Off!
Kids can enjoy a wide variety of activities, from karaoke and carnival games to crafts, face painting, dance parties, and more. There’s something for everyone to try, with plenty of chances to have fun together!
This event wouldn't be possible without our amazing community. Please consider helping at the event and sign up to be a volunteer.
The Bake-Off is open to all Polaris students in grades K–8. Let your kid show off their baking skills and share some sweet treats with our Polaris crew!
Bake your best recipe and bring about 24 bite-sized samples, cut into approximately 1-inch pieces (i.e., cut your cookies, cupcakes, or other treat in half) so we don't get too full too fast! Entries should be dropped off at the Bake-Off table in the gym between 3:20 and 5:30 PM.
Everyone at Fun Night gets to taste the desserts! A panel of judges will decide the winners, and winners from each age group will be announced at 7:30 PM, with prizes for the top baker in each age group.
Age Groups are: K–2nd, 3rd–5th, and 6th–8th.
The Chili Cook-Off is open to all Polaris families and community members. Bring your best recipe—spicy, mild, meaty, or vegetarian!
Prepare a pot of chili big enough to share, along with any toppings or condiments you’d like. Drop off your entry between 3:20 and 5:30 PM at the Chili Cook-Off table in the gym. Please bring your chili in something that will keep it warm (like a crockpot), as there will not be a way to heat chili on-site. Power strips will be provided for plugging in warmers. Bowls and spoons for tasting will also be supplied.
Everyone at Fun Night gets to sample the chili and cast their votes! Winners in each category will be announced at 7:30 PM, with prizes awarded to the top chili chefs.
Categories are: Meaty and Vegetarian
The Silent Auction is one of the highlights of Fun Night! Each crew creates themed baskets, and local businesses and families donate amazing items. There’s something for everyone, from family fun packages to unique treasures.
Bidding is open from 5:30 to 7:45 PM, and all Fun Night attendees are welcome to join. Keep an eye on the tables, there are plenty of opportunities to grab something special while supporting Polaris!
Check back at the silent auction tables after 7:45 PM to see if you won any items. You can then check out and pick up your items by the school's front doors. If a winner does not claim their item that evening, the CTC will contact them to coordinate.
Do you need volunteers?
YES! Fun Night runs on the energy and support of our community. Student and adult volunteers help with games, activity rooms, food tables, and more.
Sign up for CTC emails and we will let you know once our volunteer sign-up is available.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
Nope! Fun Night doesn’t require tickets. Instead, we are approching the event as a 'pay what you can' event with a suggest donation of $10 per child, which can be given the through the link above or at the door.
Is the suggested donation required?
No, it’s not required. We want every family to feel welcome, regardless of contribution.
If you’re able to donate $1 or $20, anything helps cover event costs and supports Polaris!
Is this event only for Polaris students?
Fun Night is designed for Polaris K–8 families, but siblings and other family or community members are welcome to join in the fun.
Can I drop off my child, or do parents/guardians need to stay?
This is a family event, not a drop-off. Parents or guardians should plan to stay and enjoy the evening with their kids.
What if my child has dietary restrictions?
We know this is important for many families. For both the Chili Cook-Off and Student Bake-Off, we ask participants to list common allergens (such as nuts, dairy, gluten, etc.) on their entry forms, and we’ll have those clearly marked at the event.
That said, we can’t guarantee against cross-contact or trace ingredients, so please use your best judgment and feel free to bring along food that’s safe for your child.
Can adults buy food too, or is it just for kids?
Yes! Adults can purchase additional pizza slices for $2 each, and everyone is welcome to sample chili and bake-off treats.
Coming Soon
If you would like to donate something to the silent auction, please email us at ptc4polaris@gmail.com.