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Back-to-school events in Hillsborough and elsewhere

 
Classroom supplies will be collected or distributed as part of several local back-to-school events over the next two weeks. [Times files]
Classroom supplies will be collected or distributed as part of several local back-to-school events over the next two weeks. [Times files]
Published July 27, 2017

Here is a look at back-to-school events in Hillsborough County and elsewhere in the Tampa Bay region:

HILLSBOROUGH

Free book bags and more at Westshore school fair

Westshore Plaza Mall will have live entertainment, hands-on activities, workshops, exhibits and speakers. Starting at 10 a.m., the first 500 kids get a free book bag. 250 Westshore Plaza, Tampa. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 5.

Supplies drive to benefit boys and girls clubs

Donate school supplies including pens, pencils, backpacks, crayons, binders and writing notebooks and get a free drink and food specials. Benefits youth served by the Boys and Girls Clubs Tampa Bay. No cover. District Tavern, 116 N 12th St., Tampa. (813) 252-3444. 5:30-9 p.m. Aug. 4.

YMCA to distribute backpacks

Approximately 1,100 backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed to qualifying, pre-registered students in grades K-12 from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Also, free healthy snacks, health screenings, insurance signups, crafts and activities. The event is free but registration is required. YMCA Camp Cristina, 9840 Balm Riverview Road, Riverview. . Qualified families can register by emailing Kavita.Marballi@tampaymca.org or call (813) 684-1371, ext. 1606.

Free oil change with your school supplies donation

Donate $15 worth of new school supplies and get a free oil change. Supplies will first be donated to children from the Joshua House and the Children's Home. All remaining supplies go to area schools in need. Ice Cold Air, 410 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. (813) 879-0600. Open 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays and 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 5.

Celebrate like your 'old school'

A back to school celebration goes from 12-6 p.m. on Sunday (Aug. 6) at Ragan Park Community Center, 1200 E Lake Ave. There will be an old school reunion, food, music, bounce houses, obstacle courses, kids dance contests , face painting, custom caricatures, games activities and more. There will also be a book bag giveaway and a chance to meet community leaders. For more information, call (813) 235-5656.

Tampa Yankees hold back-to-school party

It will be a Back-to-School Party when the team plays St. Lucie on Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m. with post-game fireworks. Tickets are $5-$8 at George M. Steinbrenner Field (formerly Legends Field), 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa. (813) 673-3055.

ACROSS THE BAY AREA

Great Explorations back-to-school night

A night of fun before the kids head back to the classrooms includes gift bags for the first 100 families, light food, open exhibits and lunch packing tips. $10, 1 and younger free. Great Explorations Children's Museum, 1925 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 821-8992. 5:30-8 p.m. Aug. 5.

Countryside Mall event features scavenger hunt

Families can get information on school resources, health and wellness services, after school programs, learning centers and safety resources while enjoying meet and greet sessions with area mascots, princesses and super heroes, entertainment, hands-on activities and free school supplies. The first 250 kids completing a scavenger hunt get free full-sized back packs. Free. Westfield Countryside Mall, 27001 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater. (727) 674-1464. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday .

Event offers autographs, supplies, prizes

Former Major League Baseball player Orestes Destrade, now a Tampa Bay Rays broadcaster, will be signing autographs at this back-to-school event at Almased Weight Loss, 2861 34th St. S, St. Petersburg. With interactive games with Raymond and the Rays Street Team, prizes, and free school supplies while supplies last. Free. 11 :30 a.m.-12-:30 p.m. Aug. 8.

United Way stuffs the bus for teacher supplies

United Way of Pasco is hosting this three-day event to collect donations of school supplies to benefit teachers' classrooms throughout Pasco County. Stuff the Bus locations will be at the following Walmarts: two locations on U.S. 19 in Port Richey and Hudson, on Land O'Lakes Boulevard in Lutz, two locations on State Road 54 in New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel, and on Gall Boulevard in Zephyrhills. (727) 835-2028. tinyurl.com/Stuffthebus2017. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.