My school did a Spaghetti dinner/contest one year. All we provided was noodles, garlic bread and salad. We had some local college kids judge it, and volunteer to work the event serving the guests!
We charged $5 per person $20 per family. And the Cooks got in free! You just have to make sure you have enough entries to feed the crowd!
Plus you can combine the night with another school event, Science fair, etc. And that will draw more of a crowd!
Hope this helps!

Our elementary school (about 200 students) has done a Fall Festival for the past few years. We were planning it again for this October when our committee of 6 shrank to a committee of 3 in 2 days! We have a very small PTO (around 10 parents/teachers) and an even smaller budget! I am the new President and am determined not to burn our few volunteers out. We've decided to change course and make our Fall Activity a less labor-intensive one. We do a Spring Carnvial (which the kids love!) and a Movie Night in February (also a hit!), so I'm looking for something relatively inexpensive and easy to plan. We do plan on having concessions, would like to use it as a mini-fundraiser, and would like for it be outside to enjoy our beautiful weather. HELP!