MARION — The sound of the Dropkick Murphy’s “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” blared from Sippican Elementary on Friday, serving as “pump-up” music as students prepared to run thirty-five laps around the all-purpose room.

These students were participating in Boosterthon – a yearly fundraiser where kids at the Sippican School campaign to raise money for field trips throughout the year.

The school has been able to bring in performers with the funds as well. Last year they had a “mad scientist” come in to do experiments, and Toe Jam Puppet Band, a children's entertainment group from New Bedford, visited as well.

Boosterthon is organized by a parent volunteer group, Volunteers at Sippican Elementary, otherwise known as VASE. Boosterthon itself is an organization based out of Atlanta, Georgia that helps put on fundraising events for schools all over the nation.

85% of the students participated in raising money for the event and as of Friday morning, they had raised more than $23,700 – just shy of their $25,000 goal. Organizers said this has been their “best year yet” for the fundraiser.

This is the first year since the COVID pandemic began that they’ve been able to put on the event in full.

In 2020, it was canceled entirely, and in 2021 they put on an adapted version of the event, where they held a dance marathon outside, socially-distanced.

This year, they were able to do the glow run, which consists of a course with inflatables as they run through neon lighting with glow sticks.

“There’s been huge excitement from the children,” said Sippican School Principal Marla Sirois.

She added that the best part of the program has been the “character piece” where each day, students learn about different traits, such as curiosity, confidence, and endurance, through presentations and activities.