Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

BY NIC MILLER
STAR STAFF
nic.miller@elizabethton.com
Two years ago, Harmony Freewill Baptist was handing out backpacks and school supplies left and right. But one year ago, things looked much different for the Back to School Bash, with a drive-thru style approach for those needing supplies for the upcoming school year.

This year, however, Harmony is bringing things back to normal next Saturday, July 31, at Hampton High School for the annual event.

With things looking up in terms of restrictions, Harmony is ready to bring back the exciting in-person experience that takes place every July where thousands of children in the area can receive backpacks, school supplies, free food, an enjoyable day, and the chance to learn about Jesus Christ. 

Things may look different, but the concept is still the same according to Back to School Bash Director Shannon Posada, who said, “Firstly, we are holding the Bash at Hampton High School. If the weather permits we will be on the football field, but if not we will be in the gymnasium.

“We are also doing things by zones this year, with each zone having two hours and a 30-minute break from the workers in between.” 

To specify, Zone one will include Cloudland, Hampton, Valley Forge, and Little Milligan and will be allotted time from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Zone two will include Unaka High School, Unaka Elementary, Hunter Elementary, and the Siam Learning Center and will be allotted time from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Zone 3 features Keenburg Elementary, Central Elementary, Happy Valley Elementary, Happy Valley Middle School, and Happy Valley High School and will have allotted time from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

And finally, from 4:30 to 6:30, students from Elizabethton City Schools and other regional school districts will be allotted time to receive supplies and enjoy the festivities.

There will be no shortage of excitement at this year’s Back to School Bash, Posada explains saying, “There will be lots of entertainment this year, as we are gonna have many games as well as water wars and inflatables to enjoy themselves.”

While the event is always an enjoyable experience, Posada believes there is something deeper that goes into this annual event saying, “We just want a fun day for all of these kids to come and not have to worry about any struggles or anything that is going on at home.

“We always have counselors at the Bash to be able to talk to anyone who has any needs and point them in the right direction for any assistance they may need. Along with that, we have so many people that will sit down and pray with individuals who may be going through hard times.”

Posada closed out on a cheerful note saying, “We just want the community to come out and have a good day, as we look forward to seeing everyone each year. To me, this event is like Christmas in July because I love to see these kids come and be able to receive something that they are happy about.”

With things finally returning to a somewhat normal state, this year’s Back to School Bash will be one that no one will not want to miss.