Cheers from students and laughter from parents could be heard coming from behind Middle Gate Elementary School in the early evening of June 22 as the school's annual Middle Gate Madness event was underway.

Different activity stations were set up, and as families arrived, students were quick to find friends or go to a station that interested them.

According to PTA member Jen Sinapi, this year's Middle Gate Madness included a bounce house, a station for EverWonder Children's Museum, and two touch-a-truck stations provided by Botsford Fire Rescue and Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue. Romy's BBQ also served food at a station.

The evening included a "Cake Walk" contest station, where students walked from one spot to another as music played. When the music stopped playing, the students picked up the large dot they were standing on to see if they had won a cake.

Near the Cake Walk, Newtown Police K-9 Officer Felicia Figol gathered a crowd during one portion of the evening for a demonstration of Newtown Police Department K-9 Aris's abilities. Newtown Police Officer Matt Hayes assisted. With his arm wrapped in protective gear, Officer Hayes braced as Aris jumped to bite the gear at Officer Figol's command. Students cheered for Aris, especially when Aris took a winning lap around the crowd.

Throughout the event, splashing could be heard as students took turns throwing balls at a target to send adults falling into a water-filled dunk tank. Middle Gate Lead Teacher John Sullivan was the first to go into the dunk tank. Student Jack Lucian threw the first ball that sent Mr Sullivan falling into the water.

The annual Middle Gate Madness is a fundraiser for the school's PTA and a celebration of the end of the school year.