More than 30 years ago when Sacred Heart, Glyndon, was a tiny country school, an annual old-fashioned country fair was a common occurrence. The cheerful event returned to school grounds June 2 – equipped with peppermint sticks and lemons – to culminate what principal Anne H. Price said has been a terrific year and to celebrate the school’s 50th birthday.
“We wanted to bring back that tradition … recreate that ambience,” said Mrs. Price, Sacred Heart’s principal for a decade. “It was a huge success; an unbelievable experience for our school and the entire local community. I’ve never seen our students having so much fun!”
Blessed with beautiful weather Saturday morning, spectators in lawn chairs lined the closed-off streets to eye an active march through the small town of Glyndon in northwestern Baltimore County. Pep squads, a fife and drum corps, colorful floats, students on decorated bikes, and local community groups comprised a 1.5 mile parade.
After, the country fair began with pony rides, amusement rides, stage performances, flea market, and bingo. “What didn’t we have?” said Mrs. Price.
A day before, time was buried in a capsule on school property. Students selected special items for a future generation to discover: uniforms, rosaries, May crowning mementos and a school directory, among other artifacts, were buried next to the flag pole near the school’s entrance.
“Whoever opens it will have a good understanding of what our school was all about and hopefully it (the school) will be here,” said Mrs. Price, admittedly on the brink of tears throughout the weekend as she prepares for a new position as assistant principal of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Baltimore.
The time capsule was blessed by Monsignor Lloyd E. Aiken, Sacred Heart’s pastor, who also led a prayer service. The birthday party continued that evening with a semi-formal gala with dinner and dancing at the Marriott Hunt Valley with an attendance of 150 alumni, school parents and administration/faculty. Auction items handcrafted by some of the almost 800 students were up for bid.
Lastly on Sunday, a noon mass ended the three-day celebration. Father Aiken surprised the school’s staff and children by ending their academic year a day earlier than anticipated, in gratitude for the success of the events.
“It was a very wholesome family-oriented weekend,” said the principal. “It reflected the values of our school.”