The annual Children's Fantasy Faire, organized by the Los Gatos Parent Nursery School, returns on May 7.

This event for children and their families takes place on the front lawn of Los Gatos High School and features an outdoor stage and midway with local performers, games, a silent auction, arts and crafts, food and drinks and a raffle.

Games and activities planned this year include jump houses, face painting, slides and pony rides—to name just a few. A fire truck and police car will be available for adventurous children to explore, and visits by Sparky the dog and Smokey the Bear are planned.

Live performers include the feathery friends at Happy Birds, Gerald Joseph the magician and the upbeat sounds of the Stanford University Marching Band. Shows by Suzuki Violins, the West Valley gymnastics team and more are also scheduled throughout the afternoon.

There will be more than 100 prizes for the raffle and silent auction, including electronic items, gift certificates and more.

Admission to this event is free, and most games and activities will cost only $1.

However, there is one bittersweet element to the day's festivities—it will be the last year of Fantasy Faire involvement for retiring teacher Heidi Bowman.

Bowman, who has been teaching at the Los Gatos Parent Nursery School for the last 24 years, plus five years when she was a parent-teacher, is retiring at the end of the school year. She says she'll definitely miss being involved in annual activities such as the Children's Fantasy Faire.

"This age group is really fun—watching them discover something for the first time, try something for the first time and get better at something," she says. "They're developing a sense of humor and are learning so much."

Bowman, a Los Gatos resident, says she's looking forward to spending her retirement with her husband, Bill, a retired high school teacher. She's also planning to spend more time with her grandchildren and children, hopes to travel more and will continue substitute teaching at the nursery school.

"Heidi is a very special person both to our school and in the community," says Sue Garner, whose son attends the nursery school. "Her energy and her love of teaching and just the passion she's had at the school has been amazing. She's really set a tone and an attitude and provided a sense of community for us."

A retirement celebration is being planned in Bowman's honor on May 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Los Gatos Parent Nursery School.

The annual Children's Fantasy Faire takes place on the Los Gatos High School front lawn from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call the Los Gatos Parent Nursery School at 408.354.1433 or visit www.lgpar
entnursery.org. For more information about the retirement party for Heidi Bowman, email Sue Garner at suelachef@aol.com or call her at 408.354.9112.