Hawthorn Mall to host free 'Back-To-School Bash' Aug. 1
Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills has announced that it plans to host a "Back-to-School Bash" from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 1 to help children and their families welcome the new school year.
Families are invited to take part in a DIY art mural, bring their own food and picnic on-site in the LOVE mural parking lot near Dave & Buster's, vote in a back-to-school influencer fashion faceoff in the H&M Court, enjoy a live School of Rock concert, and help Hawthorn Mall fill a bus with much-needed school supplies.
While this event is free and open to the public, participants will be asked to adhere to social distancing recommendations. Masks will be required for the art mural activity, and there will also be a contactless drive-through option available for backpack donations.
DIY Mural
Families are invited to help Hawthorn Mall create a back-to-school mural. Those who stop by the mural station (in the LOVE mural parking lot near Dave & Buster's) will receive a free pack of crayons and an invitation to color part of the giant mural.
Beginning Aug. 4, children and their families are encouraged to return to the mall to see the completed mural displayed near the Family Lounge. The mural will remain on display throughout August.
Picnic in the Lot
Pack a lunch and join the fun in the LOVE mural parking lot near Dave & Buster's. Picnickers will receive a free pack of chalk so they can color their own parking spot during this outdoor event.
Back-to-School Fashion Faceoff
Some of the area's most popular social media influencers - including @mrsjeninparadise, @jeniraitz, and @this_lovely_life_of_mine - will be on hand for a competitive back-to-school fashion faceoff.
During the event, held in the H&M Court at Hawthorn Mall, well-known influencers will dress mannequins in the latest back-to-school fashions, competing for votes from Hawthorn Mall guests.
Shoppers can vote for their favorite outfit using the QR codes near the display or via the mall's website Aug. 1-15. The winning influencer will receive a $100 gift card, and one shopper will be randomly selected from among those voting to receive a $100 shopping spree, as well as a Hawthorn Mall tote filled with goodies from their favorite retailers.
School of Rock Concert
Students from the Libertyville School of Rock, which provides all-age guitar, drum, bass, keyboard and singing lessons, will deliver a live performance from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 1. The concert will take in the LOVE mural parking lot.
Fill-a-Bus School Supply Drive
Those attending the Back-to-School Bash are asked to help Hawthorn Mall fill a bus with backpacks full of school supplies to benefit children in need. The event takes place in front of the LOVE mural.
The first 100 people to donate a new backpack with a minimum of six new school supplies inside will receive a reusable Hawthorn Mall tote bag and either a $25 gift card to Barbara's Bookstore or a free movie pass to the mall's AMC Hawthorn 12 movie theater. (One gift card or movie pass per person, regardless of the number of backpacks donated, while supplies last.)
To learn more, including a list of which school supplies are most needed for the supply drive, visit www.shophawthornmall.com/events, the Hawthorn Mall Eventbrite listing at bit.ly/2CkkdgF, or the center's Facebook page.
Hawthorn Mall is at 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills. Visit www.ShopHawthornMall.com.