We dont have any festivals, we have class parties but only for the kids, no parents allowed. No one complains, this is the way the principal runs the school.
All districts have their own policies - Ours would never let parents watch a class so teachers could have an "Appreciation Lunch". We are not allowed to get volunteer Dads to come in and pack and move for renovations - liability. We aren't allowed to do a school grounds spring cleanup - children might get cut or scratched. Absolutely no pictures can be posted on the school website of events even though no one is named.
There's probably a protective reasoning behind their policies. Might be a bit over the edge, but we are not to reason why.......
Nothing hilarious or imaginary about protecting children and their immediate envirnoment. As just one example, today's new york times, search word' charter school', has an interesting article.