Students from the Mechai
Pattana School at the Kelly Lifelong Learning Center in Pattaya perform an
amazing acoustic set with their ukuleles and voices. Despite the warning of
inclement weather leading up to the Jesters Care for Kids Children’s Fair
last Sunday, it was anything but wet at the Diana Garden Resort, making the
fair a big hit with everyone involved.
Lewis Underwood
The week leading up to the Fair was fraught with anxieties, especially after
mid-week rains drenched the city. Concerned parties were calling in with a
variety of weather forecasts for our Fair Day on Sunday, September 9th,
which ranged from 70% chance of rain to somewhat wet.
Well, after spending a full day in the sun on the driving range at the Diana
Garden Resort on Fair Day, my sunburn neck the next morning told a different
story. Yes, we had to seek cover once again, but this time it was in search
of shade.
The climbing wall is great fun
and exercise, too.
This year, we were able to try the new stage location and
stall configuration in clement weather. The stage was more prominent than
ever, thanks to MAS, and now located on the west side of the range in front
of the Korean church. From the stage, the 104 stalls extended along the
north perimeter to the east boundary of the driving range, then went south
for 60-70 meters, before going back around towards stage.
The result was a creation of a huge grassy expanse in the middle of the
setup, making the stage visible from more points than previously. It was
also ideal for the opening ceremony and allowed the marching band from
Pattaya School # 3 to make a grand entrance onto the field and assemble in
front of the stage.
Lewis “Woody” Underwood
congratulates this good student for earning a bicycle.
To add to the spectacle, the Jesters atop their shiny
Harleys lined up in formation behind the band. With parade captain Soda in
charge of the bikes this year, even Kalles Kaviar was able to participate;
not to mention Ronny on a replica of the earliest motorcycles, when they
were more like bicycles with small motors. By the way, the latter is an
auction item for our next event, the Gala Party Night at the Amari Orchid
Pattaya on Saturday, September 22nd.
Lewis
“Woody” Underwood welcomes everyone to the fair and announces what the day
is all about.
After the national anthem was performed by the school band and the requisite
opening speeches, the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on the stage by the
VIP’s, namely Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn, Chanyuth Hengtrakul (advisor
to the Deputy Interior Minister), Sopin Thappajug (CEO of the Diana Group),
Peter Malhotra (CEO of the Pattaya Mail) and members of the Jesters Care for
Kids Organizing Committee. The band then played on, as the Harley’s roared
to life and made a lap around the field before exiting the grounds.
With the formalities done, our perennial emcees, Russell Jay and Poodle
Pete, took over for the day welcoming the fair goers and keeping them
informed about the goings-on throughout the day.
The stage performances soon commenced by our project kids from the Fountain
of Life Center, the School for the Blind, Ban Jing Jai Foundation, Hand to
Hand Foundation and the Camillian Center. This year, Richy, as our
entertainment coordinator, oversaw the stage program and adjusted the
schedule for the bands and entertainers in order to accommodate everyone.
To keep the kids well preoccupied for the day, there was the ever-present
climbing wall, courtesy of Pattaya Pickles, and pony rides provided by
Horseshoe Point. There were also a number of contracted game booths and
international school stalls that featured kids’ activities, as well as
carnival rides and a massive bouncy castle. Other beneficial organizations,
like the Rotary Clubs and Lions Club also catered to kids to name a few.
In addition, Linden and the GAP students from The Regent’s organized the
field games for the children, culminating with the tug-of-war. Prizes were
provided by the Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC), Scar, Dan Dorothy
and the Jesters.
Of course, the Pattaya Sports Club was there in full force running the
children’s raffle ticket booth, as well as providing the prizes, which
ranged from kids’ board games to a flat screen TV. Bangkok Hospital Pattaya
also provided a prize, as well as the Diana Group. Of valuable assistance in
selling tickets were the students from the International School of the
Eastern Seaboard (ISE). A special thanks to Bouquet for all the extra help.
By the way, at the end of the day, 74,020 baht of tickets were sold and
donated to our charity drive.
A wide range of cuisines were available this year from food stalls too,
which included The Haven, Sausage King, Cafe Kronborg, Baadshah Indian food,
Noi’s Somtam, Sunrise Tacos, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Hard Rock, Duck
Bar and the Fountain of Life Chow Hall; the latter provided food for all the
project kids.
Special treats’ stalls also joined in with the local and international
delights, such as Khao Larm (sticky rice concoctions baked in bamboo),
Special Forces Association, Ch. 3 (apple pies), Pattaya Pickles, AGS Four
Winds (ice cream), JVK International Movers (candy floss), Tamar Center
(baked goods) and Jelly Belly Candy Company (jelly beans).
Jameson’s used books once again dominated Devil’s Alley, providing plenty of
reading fodder for the older kids. People were seen toting huge bags of
paperbacks away from their stall, including one gentleman, who brought a
suitcase full of books to exchange with a ‘new’ selection of reading matter.
The afternoon segment of the entertainment started off with Joe Cox’s
security dog show demonstration in front of the stage, as Cha Yen, a popular
Thai group, prepared and then was up next on stage. The Regent’s School then
put up two talented groups and a solo artist, followed by Garden
International School (GIS) bands. Their first band was an all-girl band, who
were very popular. It was great to see students from both schools supporting
and applauding their bands in front of the stage on the grass.
Then 28 students from the Mechai Pattana School at the Kelly Lifelong
Learning Center in Pattaya (also known as Birds and the Bees School) took
the stage and came to the very front of it and did an acoustic set with
their ukuleles and voices without mikes. Everyone who was there up close
thoroughly enjoyed their set.
Next up Tom Rossetti and his eclectic ensemble did a great set of
traditional and contemporary Thai numbers along with a few English songs,
which was very entertaining. And for those who might have been flagging in
the heat, the Salsa Community took the stage and infused new energy into the
fairgoers.
After the Fountain of Life ‘best of the classes’ kids were awarded their
bicycles in memory of Chris Kays and the final drawing for the children’s
raffle, bands from Leo Blues Bar played superbly, as always, until it was
unfortunately time to stop the show and let the work crews dismantle
everything. By the way, a special thanks go to Chief and his technicians,
who provided a top sound system for our added listening enjoyment.
All in all, it was a grand, magical day! And we could not have done it
without you! On behalf of the Jesters Care for Kids and Jesters MC Thailand,
we hope you too had a great day with your families and friends in the
presence of the very project kids you are helping to get safe shelter,
educational chances and overall better life options.
Please remember that our Gala Party Night is next Saturday, September 22nd
at the Amari Orchid Pattaya. This smart casual event is a sit-down dinner
with complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks, all inclusive in the 1800
baht ticket charge. There will be lots of entertainment with auctions and
grand raffle drawings.
Newsflash: There are still seats available! If interested, please
contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
We hope to see you there too!
Jesters 2012 Beer Donors
Doug Reteman, Mark Lukinovich, Pat Elliot, Banana, Chris Hogg,
Pim & Natee, Tim Bar, Tony Smith, Herb Rogers, Pelle Block, Welkom Inn,
Karamba, Duen Pen, John Drum, Petter Andersen, Steve Ball, Swiss Chris,
Terje, Kent Skaarup, Kerstin & Peter Nod, Robby Bennet, Don Blend, Chris
Chailton, Jim Lindquist, Keith Emerson, Thore Pedersen, Kjell Ingemarsson,
Janne Low Rider, Johan the Map, Lars Mueller, Jamie, Cafe Kronborg, Uffe,
Martin Simonsson, Greg Nolan, Paul, Earl, Mikael, Geir Bakken, Bob Thomson,
Chris Harvey, Sweet Lou, Karamba, Club Nevada, Vienna, Tony, Raymond, Ski,
Denny, Fred, Hank from Ohio, Froto, Simon Buckingham, Augie, Steve, David &
Joy, Homer, Gator, Tom, Sara, Katee, Jerry Lien, Saaam, Kim Fletcher,
Tropical Bert, Christer. TOTAL: 103,440 baht
Simon collects his luck draw
winnings from Tony.
Lewis Woody Underwood (center)
leads officials in cutting the ribbon to officially launch the event.
Hit the target, soak the
student.
The fair is about the only
time when anyone can buy some of their very own Jesterwear.
Heave! The tug-o-war is a
fitting end to the games.
Little ones just love the pony
rides provided by Horseshoe Point.
A GIS IB student gives her
thoughts on the day to PMTV.
More fun for the kids!
Learning to be a pilot or just
enjoying the ride.
The afternoon segment of the
entertainment starts off with Joe Cox’s security dog show demonstration.
The fairgrounds are lined with
stalls selling everything from beer to trinkets.
Zion Team Dancers perform an
enthusiastic show.
Cha-Yen band rocks the crowd.
A Garden International student
belts his way through ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’.
Young performers do a cute
Thai dance.
Students from the Mechai
Pattana School at the Kelly Lifelong Learning Center in Pattaya perform an
acoustic set with their ukuleles.
The marching band from
Pattaya School # 3 makes a grand entrance onto the field.
Pukpik entertains the crowd
with her magical violin.
Ronny pulls in on a replica of
the earliest motorcycles, when they were more like bicycles with small
motors.
Look at me, I’m creating a
masterpiece.
A smile that would melt your
heart.
Three young princesses dress
in their Sunday best.
Full of determination, ready
to try and win the tug-o-war.
Big bikes line the outskirts
of the Jesters Fair.
