Citizens Bank Stadium will be the place to be next weekend for families looking to get an early start to the school year.

Elizabethton City Schools will offer the third annual Back-2-School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon on the Elizabethton High School campus.

After having two events under their belts, ECS staff are hoping to see the numbers flow in and make sure students have the prepared resources available for the 2018-19 school year.

“Preparations for our Back-2-School Bash have gone really well this year,” said Myra Newman, ECS Deputy Director of Schools. “Our community really steps up and supports our students and school system. We worked alongside our police department, health department and other community leaders to plan this year’s Bash. We identify what went well and what needs to be changed.”

Over the course of Saturday, the Bash will feature 1,000 free backpacks full of school supplies, along with inflatables, obstacle courses, lunch, items to give away and educational resources and information for city schools provided by principals and teachers.

One of the major changes this year, according to Newman, is the ability to provide backpacks to all students, instead of just Elizabethton City School students. Students and families from around the Tri-Cities are invited to the event.

“This year our goal was to meet the needs of all students that came instead of just Elizabethton City School students,” Newman said. “We are truly focused on all students. Our goal is to give out 1,000 backpacks with supplies again this year. We will also be able to provide drawstring bags with some goodies to preschool students.”

The free event is planned in partnership by the school system, East River Park Christian Church, Carter County Health Department and the Elizabethton Police Department.

Along with the planners, various businesses and organizations have provided a helping hand, which makes the event a reality, Newman said.

“This service project could not happen without the continual support of our community,” she added. “We are so pleased with all the businesses, churches and nonprofits that have come to the table to support students and the education of our students. We would like to thank each and every one that gave either with their time, their finances or their knowledge and skills. Because of you, we are able to help students be prepared for learning.”

Planners broke up sponsorship into three different categories: gold sponsor (62-plus backpacks/$1,000-plus donation), silver sponsor (40-plus backpacks/$640-plus donation) and bronze sponsors (20-plus backpacks/$320-plus donation).

The sponsors are: Gold — East River Park Christian Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Johnson City Press, Chick-fil-A, Carter County Farm Bureau and Carter County Men’s Fellowship. Silver — Aaron’s and Jenny Lea Academy. Bronze — Southside Christian Church, Cato Fashions, Snap-On Tools, Burgie Drug and Alexander Insurance Agency.

A resource fair will also feature over 20 different local and regional agencies that will have activities and information available for the public.

Visit www.ecschools.net/Content2/B2S or the Elizabethton City Schools Facebook page to learn more about the event.