Thousands of North Texas families are gathering at Fair Park today as the City of Dallas hosts the 30th Annual Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering free essential school supplies, healthcare screenings, and community resources ahead of the upcoming academic year.
The milestone 30-year event, hosted by Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson in partnership with the All Stars Project, Junior League of Dallas, and Dallas ISD, takes place inside the Automobile Building and Centennial Hall at Fair Park. According to city officials, the fair serves more than 10,000 economically disadvantaged students from Pre-K through 12th grade each year.
Eligible families attending the one-day event can receive free backpacks, grade-appropriate school supplies, dental and vision screenings, immunizations, and haircuts. More than 100 community organizations, healthcare providers, and corporate sponsors—including title sponsors Walmart and Sam's Club—are on site providing family support services.
"The Mayor's Back to School Fair is one of the most important events we do each year because it delivers real results for Dallas families," Mayor Johnson stated in an official announcement regarding the event.
The community resource event coincides with Texas’ annual sales tax holiday, which began Friday and runs through Sunday at midnight. According to the Texas Comptroller’s Office, shoppers can purchase qualifying school supplies, backpacks, clothing, and footwear priced under $100 without paying state or local sales tax. State officials estimate the three-day tax-free weekend will save Texas families approximately $112 million overall.
Event organizers emphasized that while the fair provides critical financial relief for local families facing rising back-to-school costs, pre-registered families who meet federal poverty income guidelines receive priority access to distributed supplies. No safety incidents or major traffic delays have been reported around Fair Park, though local authorities advise motorists along Grand Avenue and Robert B. Cullum Boulevard to anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic throughout the afternoon.
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