The City of Dallas says more than 10,000 students signed up to attened the Mayor's Back to School Fair Friday at Fair Park. For the second straight year, some services were not available because of the pandemic.
Students who had registered and met income guidelines could receive a backpack and school supplies. Mayor Eric Johnson says more families than ever had registered.
"COVID-19 forced us to scale back some aspects of what we used to do at this fair, but it has also significantly increased the need for what we do best," Johnson says.
While families could pick up supplies, they could not get health or dental check-ups or haircuts. Before the pandemic, families could also browse tables to learn about services available to them.
"The Mayor's Back to School Fair has become a crucial annual tradition in our city, and it's an incredibly important event to me, personally, as someone who grew up in underserved communities in West Dallas and Oak Cliff," Johnson says.
"It helps a lot, helps us parents, the community and everything," one parent said as he and his son were parked in line. "For the mayor to do this, it's pretty special to us."
Parents say, while some services have been reduced, they are still glad to have a place to pick up material to make sure their kids start school with the same supplies as others.
"It's great, and a lot of help. It helps us a lot," one woman said.
After last year was limited to virtual learning, she says she is happy her kids will be able to return to class and make friendships and more personal connections with teachers.
"It's great, a great start to the new school year," she says.
The Texas Military Department set up a vaccination clinic at Fair Park Friday. The clinic is open until 2 p.m. and is open to anyone 12 and older, not just Dallas ISD students or their families. People can drive up to Gate 16, near Haskell and Boxwood and follow signs to the vaccination site.
Starting at 4 p.m., the Back to School Fair becomes a walk-up event for families who rely on public transportation. Wal-Mart will start offering vaccinations then.
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