🦋 .002 [ text ] From the weekly Shattered Mirror

[thereporter]

FALL FESTIVAL A CHANGE OF PACE FOR WONDERLAND Julia Shumway, Staff

[ PHOTO: Misty Day poses with the guest of honor, Lil' Sebastian Jr. ] The third weekend of September ushered in Wonderland's very first Fall Festival, and it did not disappoint. Stretching extravagantly across the grounds, gardens, and maze area, attendees could find rides, games, and a variety of food items - the kinds of things that may be reminiscent of fairs and festivals to many of us. But is it all necessary? When I found festival organizer Leslie Knope, she was joyfully handing out T-shirts featuring the face of Wonderland's newest celebrity: Li'l Sebastian Jr., a miniature horse. Ms. Knope comes from the kind of background one would expect of someone who could coordinate such an impressive event; as the head of the Parks and Recreation Department in her hometown of Pawnee, Indiana, she is no stranger to organizing recreational activities on a grand scale. [ PHOTO: Leslie Knope was the mind behind Wonderland's first fall festival. ] When asked about her motivations behind the event, Ms. Knope cited "the idea of community" as her inspiration. Although she is one of Wonderland's newer arrivals, many in the mansion have already been exposed to her sunny disposition and controversial opinions regarding breakfast foods. It may be her positive personality that lends to her insistence that the desire to leave Wonderland and the ability to find happiness here do not need to be mutually exclusive. "You can need something to look forward to that's good and not just another event without being painted as someone who universally loves being here," she explained in defense of the festival and what it represents for the Wonderland community. Considering the turnout, it doesn't seem as if Ms. Knope is alone in this belief; despite our desires to go home, maybe we all could use more "events" that we can look forward to. Ms. Knope hopes to make the Wonderland Fall Festival an annual tradition.