Back to School Fair Kicks Off at Fair Park
Children enjoy a Back to School Fair registration event. (Photo: Tim Glaze)
More than 35,000 Dallas students and parents are expected to attend this year’s Mayor’s Back to School Fair, which kicked off registration July 10 at Fair Park with free haircuts and entertainment.
School supplies, backpacks, immunizations, eye and dental screenings, and books will all be available at no cost for Dallas Independent School District students from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 3 at the Centennial Building in Fair Park.
Like in years past, the 22nd edition of the event is open to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade from Dallas ISD, but a slight tweak in this year’s program should benefit even more people.
Now, students who attend private, charter, or other public schools in a different district can attend the Fair as well – so long as they show proof of residency from the city of Dallas.
This way, students from schools in the Richardson Independent School District can benefit, as well as children from private schools in the Preston Hollow area, according to Jenny Brumfield, event coordinator.
“You could have children who are attending Hockaday, St. Marks or Ursuline on a scholarship, and they can attend the fair as long as they bring proof of residency,” she said. “We’re hoping to expand and help even more students this way.”
The list of volunteers for this year’s event continues to grow: Walmart is donating backpacks, as well as conducting free vision and general health screenings; the Texas A&M College of Dentistry is providing dental screenings and free toothbrushes; the National Kidney Foundation is offering kidney health screenings; and Children’s Health will be providing consultations on asthma and nutrition.
Brumfield said she expects close to 100 teachers from Dallas ISD to volunteer, too.
“The teachers know the kids that come to the Fair, so that really helps make a connection,” she said. “I think, more than anyone, the teachers get the biggest kick out of volunteering.”
Families who qualify for free school supplies can sign up at throughout July.
Visit mayorsbacktoschoolfair.com for dates and times.
