Outfitting students with the essentials for the new school year, the 28th Annual Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair has been scheduled for August 2 at Fair Park, in an announcement made public by Mayor Eric L. Johnson, Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie S. Elizalde, and Tandra Allen, President of the Junior League of Dallas. The fair, which is slated to unfold in the Automobile Building and Centennial Hall, is gearing up to support over 10,000 students who might otherwise start the school year at a disadvantage, according to the City of Dallas.
An initiative that Mayor Johnson described as "one of my favorite annual Dallas events," the fair is more than an opportunity for economically challenged Pre-K to 12th-grade students to snag free school supplies, it is a showcase of communal effort – an intricate tapestry of nonprofits, corps, and community volunteers collaborating to provide necessary services including immunizations, dental screenings, vision exams, along with other health and social service available at the event for the participating families. Dr. Elizalde called public schools a "team sport," emphasizing that the fair plays "an indispensable part of every school year," as per the City of Dallas.
With over 500 volunteers managed by the Junior League of Dallas, the crowd commonly expects cameos from city mascots, including the State Fair of Texas’ Little Big Tex and the Dallas Police Department’s McGruff the Crime Dog, adding an element of fun and community spirit. Prominent companies, such as Atmos Energy and Charter/Spectrum are among the sponsors, as are TXU/Vistra Energy and the Dallas Mavericks Foundation, who all share the vision of educational empowerment and equitable access to resources. Further, the affair will benefit from the corporate generosity of sponsors like Blue Cross Blue Shield TX, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, and DentaQuest among others, as detailed by the City of Dallas.
To partake in the giveaway of free school supplies, families must navigate to the event website and ensure they meet the listed criteria – being Dallas residents or having children enrolled in the Dallas ISD, and having a household income that aligns with or falls beneath the 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines is a step, people can take to prepare for the fair informs the city’s announcement. For those desiring to contribute their time as volunteers or companies aiming to join as vendors, registration details are laid out at the same website with the Junior League of Dallas fielding inquiries through the provided email, [email protected], participants intending to keep abreast of fair-related news can follow the Dallas Mayor's Back To School Fair on Facebook for updates leading up to the event.
