Local families will have one last chance to have some fun before returning to the daily grind of the school year.
The Bradford Alliance Church will hold a free Back 2 School Bash from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday to help residents end their summer on a high note.
The is the first year the church has held the bash, according to the Rev. Rob Jeffrey, who explained the event will give people one last chance to enjoy a picnic with family before school begins.
Classes start on Monday in the Bradford Area School District.
Jeffrey welcomes people outside of the church membership to come check it out.
“This is for the community; this is absolutely for the community,” he said.
Jeffrey explained, “We’re looking ways to connect, to support our community.”
While the activities of the family event are geared more toward elementary aged children than teens, “Everyone’s welcome to come grab something to eat and enjoy the atmosphere,” he said.
Activities will include a bounce house, games hosted by the youth leaders, hopefully face-painting, a campfire and foods such as hot dogs, s’mores and drinks.
The event is “also a time to pray for the upcoming school year and pray for the students and parents,” he said.
Jeffrey was pleased with the success of a previous Fourth of July outreach effort.
On July 3 — the night of the Independence Day firework show at Pennhills Club — the church hosted what it dubbed “Freedom Fest.” The church is located down the road from Pennhills at 240 Minard Run, and Freedom Fest attendees were invited to enjoy food and games, then watch the firework display from the church parking lot.
Jeffrey told The Era in July that he received a very positive response from the community at Freedom Fest and said he plans to hold it again next year.
Like the Freedom Fest, the church is putting on the Back 2 School at no cost to attendees.
“They just show up and enjoy,” he said.
Jeffrey wants to support quality of life for Bradford residents and said the bash is “just really a chance for us as we’re growing to invest in our community.”
He said, “God has blessed us with the opportunity to do it, so we’re going to do it.”
