Smiles, laughter, sunshine, and colors were everywhere at Quinn School’s second annual Color Run on Saturday morning as over 600 people turned out for the event.

The PTO fundraiser included two bounce houses and obstacle courses, a raffle, a DJ, face painting, vendors and community partners ⁠— even a puppy enclosure with dogs from Angels Among Us animal rescue.

There were also karate, gymnastics, and cheerleading demonstrations as well as a demonstration from Dartmouth Police’s K-9 units.

Food was provided by local establishments like ice cream truck Cool Licks, Metro Pizza, and Texas Roadhouse, who all agreed to donate portions of their proceeds to the fundraiser.

But the main event was the color run itself. 

Hundreds of children and their families wore white T-shirts and ran through the fields on a course with color stations staffed by volunteers, who sprayed liquid color and threw cups of colored corn starch on the runners.

According to Quinn PTO President Linda Hamilton, funds raised from registrations and the pledge drive go towards school events, field trips, classroom enrichment, and other activities and projects.

Last year’s color run raised $21,000 for the school, and Hamilton said that with 625 registrations, this year is on target to beat that figure.

Families came from all over the South Coast to participate.

“It is going amazing,” Hamilton said. “We couldn’t ask for better weather. It’s perfect.”

She added that the PTO families donated all of the concessions as well. “Our families have been so generous with us...it’s just been awesome,” she said.

Nine-year-old Nathan Galipeau of Dartmouth said that this was his second color run. “I saw a lot of my friends, a lot of my past teachers,” he said. “And I got a new colorful shirt after it!”

His mom Lynne added with a smile, “We had a really good time. They do a really nice job.”

For eight-year-old Bella Gomez, this was her first color run. 

“It was really fun,” she said. “They threw a lot of color at us. I like to be messy!”

Dartmouth resident Jennifer Polochick said her son Brady, 3, had a lot of fun too. 

“I think it shows really good camaraderie in the community,” she said as her son emptied a teal color packet onto runners at the finish line.

“We had a blast,” said Aubrey Silva while chasing down her four-year-old son Anthony. “We’ll definitely be back!”

Cherie Moorhouse participated in the run with her nine-year-old Bryce Clancy. 

“I can’t wait to take a shower,” Moorhouse laughed. “We loved it, of course. The dirtier the better.”

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