Kids get a running start with the Back to School Bash

Families from across Havre gathered Saturday for the Back to School Bash, which offered food, games, school supplies, entertainment, haircuts and shoes for children who are going back to school this week.

"I think it went really well," event organizer Christy Edmonds said this morning.

She added that the Back to School Bash itself went really well, the event running smoother than it has in previous years. She said that they did not give away as many backpacks or shoes as previous years, but that could be due to the location change from Pepin Park to Patterson Park. The change was due to a scheduling issue and she believes it would have been bigger this year if it was at Pepin because of a more centralized location.

At the event, hundreds of children played in Patterson Park as their parents filled out a few forms for school supplies and enjoyed the weather. The Back to School Bash had a number of games for children to play and collect tickets for prizes. Children eagerly counted their tickets as they looked over the variety of prizes available.

Hair stylists Emily Morse of Salon Beneath the Streets and Mary Kay Brown of Total Chic were also volunteering at the event cutting children's hair at no cost. Morse said she was having a good time and enjoyed being around the children.

Assembly of God Pastor Curt Curtis gave a presentation to the children, leading them in different dances and Christian pop music. He said he enjoyed spending time with the children and was having a good time at the event.

Volunteers from the Assembly of God and Fifth Avenue Christian Church were also at the event, helping children with their shoes and washing the children's feet. Volunteers such as Katelynn Montagino of Havre Assembly of God sat across from the children after they had selected their shoes and spoke and joked with the children while washing their feet.

Children's eyes gleamed as they scanned over the large selections of shoes and walked away with their brand new book bags moving forward to the school year to come.