The spirit of giving is alive and thriving at Innovation Academy of Robertson County. The school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter will host its 2nd Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing together local families, vendors and students for a day of fall festivities with a meaningful purpose.

Under the guidance of Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher and FBLA advisor Debbie Tolladay, the festival has grown into a schoolwide effort, with students, clubs and classes joining forces to support a special holiday initiative.

This year’s festival will feature nearly 20 local vendors offering a variety of goods, including jewelry, candles, specialty drinks, and other handcrafted items. Visitors can also participate in a silent auction featuring gift baskets valued at up to $200, assembled through donations from students, school clubs, classes and participating vendors.

"All of our clubs have donated an auction basket, along with some of the classes," Tolladay explained. "They’re all going to be auctioned off, and in addition to the vendors and games, there’s really something for everyone."

Families can also enjoy approximately 20 games organized by students, including ring toss, basketball challenges, and tic-tac-toe. All children's games will be free to play.

While the festival promises an afternoon of family-friendly entertainment, its greatest impact will come long after the festivities have ended.

According to Tolladay, all proceeds from the Fall Festival will be used to purchase gifts for a Christmas shopping event at Krisle Elementary School in Robertson County on December 11th. The event will give approximately 287 elementary students the opportunity to shop for Christmas presents for their loved ones.

"We take all the proceeds and buy Christmas gifts for the kids," Tolladay said, explaining that the FBLA chapter transforms the gifts into a Christmas shop where children can select presents for their families.

Each student will receive a voucher allowing them to shop for gifts, making the experience accessible even to children whose families may not have the financial means to purchase presents.

"It gives them the opportunity to buy for their mom and their dads, their brothers and sisters," Tolladay explained.

Rather than simply distributing donated gifts, the Christmas shopping event allows children to experience the excitement and independence of choosing something special for the people they love.

The project also provides Innovation Academy students with a hands-on opportunity to practice leadership, organization, and community service. From collecting donations and assembling auction baskets to coordinating festival activities, students are learning how their efforts can make a difference beyond the classroom.

Now in its second year, the Fall Festival continues to demonstrate how a schoolwide project can bring students and the community together around a shared purpose.

Community members are encouraged to attend the festival, shop with local vendors, bid on auction baskets, and enjoy the activities, knowing their participation will help make the holiday season brighter for hundreds of Robertson County children.

For Innovation Academy's FBLA students, the festival is more than a day of games, shopping, and entertainment. It's an opportunity to turn their hard work into something lasting: the joy of giving, shared by hundreds of children this Christmas.

The 2nd Annual FBLA Fall Festival will take place Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Innovation Academy, 715 5th Avenue West in Springfield. Follow their Facebook page for the latest updates.

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