Beyond saving a few hard-earned tax dollars, there are also many free resources available this weekend for Back to School. Along with all the school-supply procurement happenings, you’ll also find some fun themed events for your entertainment in the listings below. That’s how we roll.
Supply Line
Thu, Aug 6
Along with passing out their own after-school care program info, the Downtown YMCA (512 Lamar St, Fort Worth, 817-332-3281) has lots of freebies available at the Back to School Bash. From 5:30pm to 7:30pm, there will be free school supplies for the first 50 students, plus free haircuts and ice cream. There is no cost to attend.
Fri, Aug 7
Before you decide to pack the kids and head to the YMCA event above, first check to see if you are eligible for the 20th annual Tarrant County Back to School Roundup at Tarrant County College South Campus (5301 Campus Dr, Fort Worth, 817-515-8223). This signature event provides free school supplies and essential services to 3,000+ students in pre-K thru 12th grade who meet certain criteria. Recipients must be schoolchildren ages 3-18 who reside in Tarrant County and whose families meet the income guidelines. School supplies will be provided to eligible students in grades pre-K thru 12th attending any public school in Tarrant County. Backpacks will also be provided to children in grades pre-K thru fifth grade. To find out if your family qualifies and to pre-register (required) for a timeslot, visit BacktoSchoolRoundup.org/event-details.
Fri-Sun, Aug 7-9
This weekend is the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday throughout the State of Texas. From Friday thru midnight on Sunday, shoppers can buy most clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks priced under $100 per item completely tax-free, according to guidelines set by the Texas comptroller.
Sat, Aug 8
Riverside Barber & Beauty School (707 N Riverside Dr, Fort Worth, 817-386-9719) is hosting its annual Back-to-School Community Event from 9am to 1pm to help students start the school year with confidence. Student practitioners and licensed volunteer barbers will provide free haircuts for students (pre-K thru 12th grade). There will also be free food and drinks, plus free backpacks and school supplies while supplies last and a community pop-up market with resources, giveaways, and more. There is no cost to attend, but RSVP is recommended at RBBITx.com.
Fun Ed
Does anyone else remember that magazine promoting recreational classes? You know, the one called Fun Ed? Just me then? Cool. My back hurts, and I need a new eye cream.
Every Day
Facts: Not everyone is college-bound, and nearly every toddler is fascinated with heavy equipment. With these two things in mind, consider taking your youngsters on a field trip to Dig World Construction Adventure Park (2200 W Grapevine Mills Cir, Grapevine, 214-884-7865, 9am-4pm), where they will be able to experience learning to dig by operating real full-size excavators, drive a real skid steer through a highway-style course, and race mini tractors. While much of it is aimed at younger kids, the older ones in tow will have fun too. Tickets are $30 at DigWorldNation.com.
Courtesy Dig World DFW
Wed-Sun, Aug 5-9
After last week’s run of Hamilton, Broadway at the Bass presents another learning opportunity in musical format. Today thru Sunday at Bass Performance Hall (525 Commerce St, Fort Worth, 817-212-4280), the Tony-winning Suffs: The Musical focuses on brilliant, passionate, and funny American women like Alice Paul and Carrie Chapman Catt, who fought tirelessly for women’s right to vote. It’s worth noting that “suffs” is short for “suffragists,” which is what these American women called themselves. “Suffragette” was a term coined in the British press to mock the women in the movement in England. Tickets start at $50 at BassHall.com.
Wed-Mon, Aug 5-10
Now boarding Hogwarts Express! For many Potterheads such as myself, back to school means back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While I never read the books, I do enjoy the film series and binge-watched the whole thing again recently while working on this very column. Of course, I was super-excited to learn that the Gaylord Texan (1501 Gaylord Trl, Grapevine, 817-778-1000) just unveiled Harry Potter as the theme for its annual holiday production of ICE! (Fri, Nov 13, thru Sun, Jan 3).
For the first time in history, elements inspired by the wizarding world will come to life in 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice. Visitors will be greeted by a towering ice sculpture of Hedwig, Harry’s beloved owl, before stepping into 10 rooms filled with photo-op scenes of Hogsmeade Station, the Forbidden Forest, the Three Broomsticks, the Great Hall, and Hogwarts Castle, where you can race down six impressive two-story ice slides that lead toward the Quidditch Pitch, where the room will burst into light and color in celebration of each Hogwarts house. Tickets for ICE! featuring Harry Potter are already available at ChristmasatGaylordTexan.com starting at $35, but if you purchase by Mon, Aug 10, you will receive a 30% off discount code.
Courtesy iStock
Wednesdays, Sep 16-Nov 18
For the 32nd year in a row, Arts Fifth Avenue (1628 5th Av, Fort Worth, 817-923-9500) is offering a 10-week program for homeschooled kids, with the goal of introducing them to the arts and instilling a lifelong love of them. Every week on Wednesday, the students will have classes in art, dance, musical instruments, and theater. From 10am to 4pm, aspects of each discipline are taught, and each session varies according to students’ levels and the artists-in-residence’s teachings. Then on Fri, Nov 20, there will be a showcase performance at 6pm. The Homeschool Arts Program is for ages 7-12 and costs $400 per student, plus a 10% discount for each additional child enrolled in your family. For more information or to register, visit ArtsFifthAvenue.org/homeschool-program.
Sat, Sep 26
Built around the tagline “Opera for Everyone,” the new Fort Worth Opera Family Series invites children, parents, family members, and first-time attendees to experience opera together through four engaging productions, interactive activities, and performances done with families in mind. Designed specifically for children in pre-K through third grade, The Ugly Duckling celebrates kindness, confidence, and self-discovery through an engaging production and character photo opportunities. The performance will take place at the Fort Worth Zoo (1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, 817-759-7555) on Sat, Sep 26, at 11am, with every ticket including zoo admission and an interactive animal encounter. Tickets start at $30 FWOpera.org.
