Back to School Bash to be held this Saturday

Over 100 clowns will invade downtown Toccoa at the second annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 6. The City of Toccoa, the Stephens County School System, and Georgia Baptist Conference Center will host the event which will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Doyle St from Pond St to Alexander St. The clowns will have completed a week of “clown college” at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center where they studied a variety of skills. They will put their new skills to good use at the event. The clowns will be entertaining the children through juggling, face painting, puppet shows, and illusion.

Among the new things being offered this year are free haircuts for children. Students from the North Georgia Technical College Cosmetology Department will provide haircuts for any child who would like to have one. They will be located at the old Nickel Back Shoe Store on Doyle St near the public restrooms.

There are two opportunities for those interested in helping local children. The Food 2 Kids program, a program of the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, will have a drop off at the Stephens County Board of Education booth at the event. This program helps to provide food for children who have little or no food from Friday to Monday. They are asking for packets of instant oatmeal. The oatmeal packets will be distributed by the Food Bank to students enrolled in the program during the 2011 – 2012 school year. There is also the opportunity to donate school supplies to children unable to attend Saturday’s event. The Stephens County Chamber of Commerce will be receiving donations of supplies at the Welcome Center on Alexander St. until Saturday. The Welcome Center will be open from 10:00 – 4:00.

A “Front Porch” reading area, sponsored by Partners for Success and located in front of the Stephens County Courthouse, will be available for children to just sit for a while and listen to their favorite story being read to them.

The Stephens County School System will have several booths with giveaways as well as important school related information for the children. Other businesses and nonprofits will also be there with information about their services as well as supplies for the students.

An entertainment stage will be located at Pond St and Doyle St where local dance schools, school groups and local bands will perform. Inflatable games, as well as a dunking booth will be located at Doyle St and Sage St.

For more information, call Ann Ash at 706-886-3133 or Sharon Crosby at 706-282-3309.