Back to school fairs to offer free supplies to thousands of Aurora students
As Aurora students prepare to return to school this month, city leaders and community partners are making sure they have the necessary school supplies to start the year. Several free back-to-school events are planned throughout Aurora.
On Aug. 8, Ward 2 Alderwoman Juany Garza hosted her 16th annual ice cream social at McCarty Park, which included performances from Those Funny Little People, Bomboncita the Clown, Mariachi Tecalitlan Aurora, and Sumdong Taekwondo.
From 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, Alderman-at-Large Sherman Jenkins and AAMOU will host the 13th annual Back-to-School Fair at Green Field Park, 774 Illinois Ave. The drive-through event will provide families with free school supplies, face masks, and snacks.
On Saturday, Aug. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, Ward 8 Alderwoman Patty Smith is collaborating with the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, Calvary Church, and Blessings in a Backpack to host a special Back to School Kids Pop-Up Pantry at Georgetown Elementary School, 995 Long Grove Drive. The drive-through event will distribute free food boxes and household supplies to families along with 500 backpacks filled with elementary school supplies.
Cities in Schools Aurora and the City of Aurora are hosting the 27th annual Aurora Back to School Fair on Saturday, Aug. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive. The event will be held in a drive-through format for the second year to allow participants to receive school supply kits in a contactless distribution while supplies last. Parents must have a government-issued ID that shows an Aurora address and be prepared to share each child's name, school, and grade level.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, Ward 1 Alderman Emmanuel Llamas will host his inaugural Back to School Bash at the Aurora Train Station, 413 Broadway Ave. Participants will receive school supply kits in the drive-through event. The bash is held in collaboration with a coalition of Latinx fraternities and sororities.
On Sunday, Aug. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m., Ward 10 Alderwoman Shweta Baid will host her inaugural Back to School Fair and Ice Cream Social at Spring Lake Park, 396 Springlake Lane. Free school supplies will be provided to Ward 10 residents who preregister by emailing aldermanshwetabaid@gmail.com by noon on Saturday, Aug. 14. The event will also include free ice cream for participants, entertainment, and exciting raffle prizes, including iPads and bicycles.
From 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, Ward 7 Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns will host the 34th annual Back-to-School Bash at Dr. Martin Luther King Park, 42 N. Farnsworth Ave. There will be free food for all participants and free school supplies, haircuts, and hair braiding for students. The event also will have a mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic, health and wellness presentations, several vendors, and performances by local and national musical artists. Face masks are required for attendance.
Learn more and download flyers for each event at www.aurora-il.org/BackToSchool.