IMPERIAL — The sound of excited shrieks and laughter echoed throughout the Imperial Valley Expo, as hundreds of local students took in the sights and smells of the California Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta here Wednesday.
“I’m having some fun,” said Hope Nery, a 6-year-old kindergartner at Finley Elementary School in Holtville. “It feels like fun all day long.”
The annual field trip serves as a hands-on educational opportunity for a majority of the Valley’s younger students.
“This field trip ties into the units the students are learning at school,” said Nicole Tumbaga, a kindergarten teacher at Finley Elementary. “They are learning about the different farm animals and it’s nice they have the opportunity to come here and tie what they are learning with what they see.”
A mixture of private, public and preschools attended the fair and took self-guided tours around the animals’ units and exhibits.
In addition to teaching the students about animals, rocks and art, the field trip gave the students the opportunity to attend the fair in the morning without the stress of the large crowds.
“Some of our students wouldn’t be able to attend the fair if it wasn’t for this field trip,” Tumbaga said. “It’s really exciting to see them smile and enjoy themselves so much.”
A majority of the students took particular delight in Doc’s Farm, which featured piglets and a day-old calf.
“I liked the little pink pigs and the little cow,” said Janelle Thomas, a 6-year-old kindergartner at Finley Elementary. “I like all the animals because animals are cute.”
Holtville resident Julie Duarte said she was glad she had the opportunity to help as a chaperone for her son’s school.
“It’s awesome to be here and enjoy the outdoors,” Duarte said. “I think this is a great experience for students because exposes (them) to a lot of different things in the community.”
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