Families in Tampa will have a major head start on the school year as the 19th Annual Back-to-School Fair returns on Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s event is being held in an all-new location at Citrus Park Town Center, offering a welcome air-conditioned setting during Florida’s Sales Tax Holiday. Presented by Hillsborough County Public Schools, the fair is designed as a one-stop back-to-school celebration packed with activities and giveaways for kids and parents alike.
Organizers are promising plenty of family fun, including chances to take photos with ThunderBug, sing with princesses, enjoy face painting, and join in games, performances and contests. One of the biggest draws is the giveaway of free backpacks for the first 1,000 children in line, making early arrival especially worthwhile. Families can also enter raffle drawings for prizes such as a LEGOLAND Florida Resort stay, tickets to Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium and more. The event also features local partners like Emerson and Friends, which will host a booth and offer a chance to win a $500 shopping spree. With school shopping season in full swing, the fair blends entertainment, resources and savings into a festive community kickoff.