The White River Education Foundation will host its third annual fundraising event October 26.

This is the first time the foundation will hold an Oktoberfest, said Andrea Weymiller, member-at-large. The funds raised will be used for various scholarships the foundation awards, as well as other programs including allowing juniors at White River High School to take the PSATs and fifth grade students to go to Biz Town, Weymiller said.

The event will include an authentic German dinner, live and silent auction and entertainment.

Weymiller said the auction is to feature a Fund-a-Need project. This project is a particular need in the district that the foundation has chosen and one that requires significant fundraising and support.

Mountain Meadow Elementary is home to the White River Developmental Preschool where children ages 3-5 with special needs attend. The project that was chosen is to fund an accessible playground that will accommodate the special needs of the children.

The playground would help the children develop gross and fine motor skills, sensory processing, social, cognitive and adaptive skills.

The total funds needed to complete this project is $250,000. So far, the Mountain Meadow PTA has raised $19,000 to purchase the equipment. Weymiller said, additional funds with go toward site preparation and installation. The site preparation is set to begin in early 2014.

“Providing our students a developmentally appropriate and handicapped accessible playground enhances their learning,” said Janel Keating, superintendent of the White River School District. “It’s also the right thing to do. Think about it. An appropriate/accessible place to play should be available for every child.”

Oktoberfest is 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26 at High Cedars Golf Club in Orting. Tickets are $50. For more information, tickets and other ways to donate visit: www.whiterivereducationfoundation.org.