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On Sunday March 22nd, the Gloucester Education Foundation is hosting its annual Power of Play event at Gloucester High School.
Originally introduced in 2016, the event was introduced by Gloucester parent Aria McElhenny who was assisted by numerous GEF volunteers looking to give back to the community. The event is free and centers around hands on, screen-free games and activities.
“From the moment my children and I attended Power of Play, I knew we had found something truly special,” Power of Play Event Chair 2025 and 2026 Jessica Margiotta said. “Beyond being a free community event that highlights the physical, mental, and developmental benefits of play, it is also incredibly fun – and holds a special place in my family’s heart because of the memories we’ve made year after year.”
The day’s activities will be broken up into 7 models of play – GAMES, CREATE, BUILD, TOUCH, MOVE, DISCOVER, and WIGGLE.
To help with these activities, the GEF has also partnered with local groups including Backyard Growers, Black Earth Compost, the Cape Ann YMCA, Gloucester Sea Cadets, Kindred Gardens, MAGMA, Open Door, North Shore Karate, and Seaside Circus.
Some of last year’s most popular activities – the silent dance party, box fort building, and more – will be back again for this year’s event. With the help of Backyard Growers, the Black Earth Compost, and Gloucester Sea Cadets, new activities including planting, growing, and robot building will be introduced this year.
“My favorite part of the event is the big cardboard boxes that kids can make forts from,” National Honor Society Historian Esme Sarrouf said. “I remember doing that as a kid and just totally getting lost in the process.”
Sarrouf has seen both sides of the event as an attendee and as a volunteer. Many of her peers in the NHS at GHS will also be volunteering at the different stations.
“It’s a really fun, accessible way for people to give back to our community, especially for older high school students who are close to leaving the Gloucester Public School system,” Sarrouf said. “It’s a really nice time to get involved with the new generation of young people in Gloucester who are just starting to come up through our schools.”
In addition to different activities, there will also be a concession stand coordinated by the event’s lead sponsor, the Cape Ann Savings Bank. All proceeds from the concession will benefit the GEF.
The Sawyer Free Library, Seashore Comfort Solutions, and Medeiros General Construction Inc. are the other businesses working to fund the event.
If you’re looking for some fun, screen-free family bonding then make sure to stop by and check out all of the exciting activities the GEF has to offer.
IF YOU GO:
When: Sunday, March 22nd from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: The fieldhouse at Gloucester High School
How Much: The event is free
