Bands, food trucks to celebrate 204 foundation's history
Food trucks and a battle of the bands will be the main elements of a new Back to School Bash set for late this summer to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the foundation that raises money for Indian Prairie Unit District 204.
The Indian Prairie Education Foundation is hosting its first end-of-summer event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St.
"It's a chance to get the entire community together," said Susan Rasmus, the foundation's executive director.
The event aims to generate more knowledge of the teacher grants, technology initiatives, music programs and at-risk assistance the charity supports throughout the district of nearly 28,000 students from parts of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield, Rasmus said.
The foundation recently surpassed the $5 million mark for total money raised in 30 years and wants to educate families about the benefits those funds have provided. Initiatives include new robotics programs, coding activities and Project Lead The Way courses in engineering; a "Kid Essentials Fund" educators can use when they can't find another way to help a student in need; and a "Back on Track" counseling program that is expanding to include all district high schools and middle schools next year.
"We want to raise awareness about the foundation and some of the things we've been able to do," Rasmus said.
The foundation also wants to celebrate - hence the food and music.
Organizers plan to bring 30 food trucks from the Chicago area and Indiana selling delicacies as varied as lobster, tacos and Asian dishes. To supply celebratory tunes, the foundation is recruiting up to eight bands that involve district students or recent graduates to compete for a chance to play at the Naperville Jaycees' Last Fling.
Bands with at least one member who will attend the district in the fall can apply by submitting a link to a YouTube video of a performance and an application form to Rasmus by June 13. Application forms, available at https://www.ipef204.org/battleofthebands/, can be emailed to Rasmus at susan_rasmus@ipsd.org.
A selection committee will give preference to bands composed entirely of District 204 students.
"We want that connection because this is a celebration of the foundation and our history," Rasmus said.
Each chosen band will be allowed to play a three-song set of up to 15 minutes.
"We'll also be sharing our history in between bands playing," Rasmus said.
Winners will be named for a judges' award and an audience choice award, each worth $500, and each coming with a chance to play at the Last Fling festival Aug. 31 to Sept. 3 along Rotary Hill in Naperville.
The event is free, but foundation will sell $5 VIP passes giving early admittance to the food trucks between 11 a.m. and noon.
"Then you can enjoy the food trucks without much of a line," Rasmus said.
Charity athletes with Team IPEF, who are running the Healthy Driven Naperville Half Marathon and 5K on Oct. 31, will offer activities for a small fee to benefit their fundraising.
If you go
What: Back to School Bash in Indian Prairie Unit District 204
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25
Where: Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St., Naperville
Who: Hosted by Indian Prairie Education Foundation, featuring bands and food trucks
Cost: Free admission; $5 VIP food truck passes available; food and drinks for sale
Info: <a href="https://www.ipef204.org/battleofthebands/">https://www.ipef204.org/battleofthebands/</a>