After games and a scavenger hunt at the Back to School Bash on Aug. 2, Sonja and Dillan Evans said their children Alex, 8; Layla, 6; and Navani, 4, were worn out.
At booths spread throughout The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota, the parents and children who attended the event could add to the students' supplies. The Evans family covered a lot of ground.
Along with the scavenger hunt, the event included stage performances by the Sarasota Ballet and Dynasty Dance Clubs.
With their shopping complete, Sonja Evans said she can't wait for the new school year to begin for her children.
"I love seeing what new stuff they learn at school," Sonja Evans said. "They're mesmerized, saying 'Guess what I learned at school today?' It's a different feeling."
Sarasota resident Dana Crispin and her 4-year-old son Zayden are eager to pose with Dora from "Dora the Explorer" and Valerie Frizzle from "The Magic School Bus."
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota residents Rickie Riddle VI, Paitynn Riddle and Rickie Riddle V each receive a free backpack at the Back to School Bash presented by Florida Kid Care.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Venice resident Novella Whitt's favorite animal is a unicorn, so getting her face painted like one was a no brainer.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Arcadia residents Alex Pederson, 8, Nevani Evans, 4 and Layla Pederson, 6, come to the Back to School event with parents Sonja Evans and Dillan Evans to play games and secure some new school supplies.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Noah, Abigail and Hannah Merone are eager to get a free kids meal at Chick-fil-A with their gift cards from the event.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Twin sisters Eva and Victoria Yenish of Sarasota are eager to see teachers and friends when they go back to school. Eva wants to draw unicorns and Victoria wants to play on the playground.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota resident Cambria Fugleberg, 1, dances along with performers on stage.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota residents Anna Lonseth and Reghan Lonseth, 1, listen to a lot of classical music at home, so it was no suprise that Reghan was on her feet while enjoying the ballet performances.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota Ballet dancers perform pieces from The Nutcracker in full costume at the Back to School Bash. Left to right: rat king, nutcracker, Sydnei King, Harper Taylor, Violet Olson and Elin Mulock.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota resident Elin Mulock, a 13-year-old Sarasota Ballet Dancer, poses with 3-year-old Gloria Fugleberg, who also loves ballet, after the performance.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Dynasty Dance Clubs dancers Laura Stewart, Isabella Chiaponne and Elena Madrigal perform a jazz number to a song titled "We No Speak Americano."
Photo by Madison Bierl
Bradenton residents Clayton, Ashton and Preston Nicholson all get to bring home free backpacks with school supplies. Clayton and Preston are looking forward to art class and Ashton is looking forward to math once school starts.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Dance instructor Anton Shurhot and dancer Elizabeth Morgan perform to the song "Happy." Morgan gave up dance a long time ago but wants to take it back and build joy from it.
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
