The end of summer Back 2 School Fun Fest will feature school supplies, kids activities, food, a chance to win a gas card and more on Saturday.
The event, sponsored by Port Arthur Independent School District and Valero, is scheduled for Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm at Memorial High School in Port Arthur.
“We wanted to give back to the community and have something fun, engaging and exciting to get the kids excited, a fun end of summer party,” PAISD media and communications specialist Adrienne Lot said.
There is a long list of things to do inside and outside of school. They include free activities such as crafts and jumbo games to play Laser Tag, archery, two game trucks, bounce houses for all ages, including one for children under 5, and there will also be Kona Ice .
Lott said DJ Jazzie Redd, formerly with Magic 102.5, will provide entertainment and performances by student and community groups.
Tiger Rock Martial Arts, The Marching Heat and Flames, representatives from the Mexican Heritage Society, Vietnamese Dragon Dancers and the Port Arthur Junior Honeybees.
There will also be a 360-degree selfie booth, a student favorite, Lott said.
Children and families can get up close and view first responder vehicles from the Port Arthur Police Department, Port Arthur Fire Department, US Coast Guard and Acadian Ambulance.
“We’ll have free food and activities and we’ll also be giving away school supplies for the kids until we run out,” Lott said.
Parents can enter a raffle for a fuel card that will be given away at the event.
The City of Port Arthur Health Department will also be on hand to administer COVID shots and required school shots.
The district’s technical department will be there to help students register for the upcoming school year. All students must register whether they stay at the same school or not.
Lott explained that all 8,000 students at the school must be registered.
Carol Hebert, public affairs manager for Valero Port Arthur Refinery, explained that the event dates back to 2009, when the refinery created an event for Port Arthur residents that provided family entertainment with fun and educational activities for young people in the community.
The event was called Kid Fest from 2009 to 2019, but the pandemic caused the event to be canceled in 2020 and 2021.
For 2022, the event has been renamed the Back 2 School Fun Fest and we have partnered with PAISD to bring this event to the community.
