Pre-registration begins Wednesday for the 22nd Dallas Mayor's Back to School Fair, with a sign-up event at Habitat for Humanity in West Dallas from 1 to 4 p.m.
The fair, which is scheduled for Aug. 3 at Fair Park, supports Dallas students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade as they return to school this fall.
"The Mayor's Back to School Fair is a one-stop shop where we provide school supplies," said Angela Schellene, event coordinator for the fair. "As well as really critical services, such as immunizations. We do vision screenings with free eyeglasses for children that need them. We also do free haircuts."
Students who attend the fair will also be able to receive free health and dental screenings. Partners of the fair will offer families information about social, educational and governmental services, in both Spanish and English.
All students in the Dallas Independent School District are eligible for free supplies, as well as other students who live in the city of Dallas and meet federal poverty guidelines.
“For more than two decades, the Mayor’s Back To School Fair has been playing a crucial role in ensuring our youth have everything they need to start their first day of school,” Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said in a statement. “For families, the fair eases the burden of buying supplies, getting immunizations and haircuts, and seeing the dentist. I am so proud of how this event has grown and am grateful to the incredible sponsors, donors and community partners who keep it thriving year after year.”
Organizers expect to hand out about 15,000 school supply packs and 3,500 backpacks.
Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk held the first Mayor's Back to School Fair in 1996. About 1,000 people attended, with a dozen organizations supporting the event. This year's event is expected to draw around 35,000 people.
Families can pre-register in person at 19 events across the city this month, or online at mayorsbacktoschoolfair.com.
