Get ready for classes with Los Fresnos’ back to school fair

LOS FRESNOS — Kick off the new school year with your family and the rest of the community at a fun, free and educational community fair that’s jam packed with free goodies, snacks and Zumba.

Last year was a first for the fair, but it had more than 200 attendees.

“We had a huge turnout and because of our proximity to Highway 100, a lot of people see what’s going on and a lot of people stop and take part,” Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library Director Angie Lugo said. “For Los Fresnos that’s quite a huge turnout and everyone had a lot of fun.”

There are several additional things to look forward to at the back to school fair.

Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas’ prevention specialist Guadalupe Trevino said there will be a live band at the fair this year.

“It’s three students that have graduated this past year that will be performing for the community, so that is a treat for the community,” Trevino said.

Additionally, the Los Fresnos Police Department donated 95 backpacks with school supplies. Commander Charlie Banda “hopes that the fair will have a good turnout.”

There also is going to be a fitness trail around the park that the families can walk, which provides an opportunity for parents to get more involved with the family.

“What they’ll be doing as they’re walking and being active with their children is that they can actually go toward the Zumba if the children want to dance,” Trevino said.

“It kind of promotes the parents to get involved with them and the sponsors are hoping that it will have an outcome with families getting involved together and being more active while doing things as a family,” she added.

Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas also wants this event to be a positive experience for the community. The nonprofit “wants children to have a lasting imprint with making better choices in their lives whether during their youth, while they’re in high school or going into college.”

The nonprofit is going to have a booth and will be giving drug awareness pamphlets, providing information to families and answering any questions they may want to ask “because sometimes people are very private about their matters at home so sometimes when they get the information, they can find the outside resources that are available to them.”

“There are different alternatives to using drugs and this is what we’re promoting, just a healthier lifestyle and choices for adults and for children,” Trevino said.