La Fiesta: Moments of magic and merriment

It was a day of celebration as students, teachers, parents, and staff members came together under one sky to revel in the festive spirit of one of Apeejay School, Saket’s most eagerly awaited annual events, the La Fiesta Carnival, celebrated with unmatched enthusiasm and joy.

The school campus transformed into a vibrant carnival, bursting with colour, laughter, and excitement. Mesmerising canopies in brilliant hues stretched across the grounds, sheltering a delightful array of food stalls and lively amusement rides that drew crowds throughout the day.

Gracing the event were two distinguished special guests. Mr Pradeep Pallavi, a renowned stand-up comedian celebrated for his numerous accolades from television shows and live performances, enthralled the audience with his wit and humour.

Accompanying him was Ms Seema Verma, a popular radio jockey from Radio City, whose vibrant presence and infectious energy captivated the students. Together, they engaged the audience with lively performances, encouraging everyone to sing, dance, and revel in moments of unbridled joy and entertainment.

Students, parents, and teachers alike soaked in the festive atmosphere, cheerfully savouring their favourite delicacies while engaging in animated conversations. The aroma of mouth-watering treats wafted through the air, adding to the irresistible charm of the celebration.

Nearby, peals of laughter echoed as thrill-seekers enjoyed exhilarating rides on the merry-go-round and the giant wheel, their faces glowing with delight. The games stalls, too, were a hub of activity. Enthusiastic participants tried their luck at hoopla, balloon shooting, and other crowd favourites, each win greeted with surprise gifts, applause, and cheers.

Speaking about the festive spirit of the carnival, the school Principal, Dr Sujeet Eric Masih, said, “The essence of having the winter carnival is to take forward the vision of man-making and nation-building. When we talk about nation-building, we are talking about future citizens. We are talking about a community where caste, colour, community, and gender don’t matter. The focus was to celebrate this united approach along with our family, school staff, stakeholders and parents.”

It is to encourage the spirit of unity and integrity among our children as well, he added. “When we talk about this carnival, we see a lot of participation from parents and entrepreneurship skills taken up by our students, which brings a lot of confidence amongst them,” he shared and concluded by saying, ‘Koi achha ho naa ho, humein achha hona zaroori hai, yeh duniya waise he banti hai jaisi apki soch hai’.

All eyes soon turned to the centre stage, exquisitely adorned with delicate paper-flower cuttings and a vibrant banner announcing the much-awaited carnival, beautifully embellished with art and craft creations made by the students themselves. The moment everyone had been eagerly anticipating had arrived. The performances were watched with bated breath by the gathered audience.

The celebrations opened on a heartwarming note as the tiny tots made their debut, singing melodious Christmas carols in charming red-and-white attire. Their innocent voices filled the air with a sense of purity and warmth, infusing the atmosphere with a gentle Holy Spirit and ushering in festive cheer well ahead of the season.

This was followed by a captivating classical dance presentation showcasing students from across the country, each adorned in traditional attire representing different states, a performance that drew the greatest admiration and applause. The stage then sprang to life once again with an energetic dance set to Jingle Bells, delighting the audience with its festive charm.

The cultural showcase concluded on a soulful note with a mesmerising tabla and flute recital by a group of students, whose rhythmic beats and melodious strains held the audience spellbound.

“Such carnivals foster unity and excitement within the school fraternity, offering everyone a welcome opportunity to unwind. With engaging games, shared laughter, and the joy of savouring favourite food items, the event becomes a celebration of togetherness. Altogether, it is an occasion to live, love, and laugh together, creating bonds and memories that last long after the festivities end,” Mr Abdul, whose son, Mohd Araiz, studies in Class IV here, said.

It was then time to actively involve the parents and staff, and the host conducted an open general knowledge quiz that ignited a lively competitive spirit. As parents eagerly took their turns during the question-and-answer session, the activity proved both engaging and enlightening, offering everyone a refreshing and enjoyable brush-up on general knowledge.

The undeniable highlight of the event was the Mom and Me segment, where children and their mothers came together to present enthralling performances that left the audience delighted. From graceful ramp walks to spirited couple dances set to popular Hindi Bollywood numbers, each act reflected confidence, coordination, and heartfelt bonding.

The anticipation in the air was palpable as participants took to the stage, one after another, drawing loud cheers and applause. The vibrant musical reverberations, coupled with expressive performances, spellbound everyone present, making this segment a truly memorable and emotionally enriching experience for all.

The surprise element of the carnival was the delightful entry of Mr Rabbit, a character performer dressed in an adorable bunny coverall. His instant charm and playful antics sent waves of excitement through the crowd, especially among the children, who gleefully ran after him. As Mr Rabbit hopped cheerfully across the campus, laughter echoed all around. Children danced alongside him, clapped with joy, and followed his every move with wide smiles and sparkling eyes.

The carnival concluded with the prize distribution ceremony, where accolades were presented to all the deserving students. Thereafter, the stage was thrown open for free-spirited dancing that continued late into the evening. This year’s carnival proved to be a truly memorable celebration, leaving behind cherished moments and a heartfelt promise to return next year with renewed fervour and even greater excitement.