Local community partners are offering a variety of Back to School events for students and families. For more information about a specific event please contact the event sponsor. If you have an event to add please email lexfun4kids@gmail.com
YMCA Back to School Rallies
August 1st at Various Locations
The rallies provide elementary, middle and high school students with free full-size backpacks and school supplies. Each site distributes supplies for all grade levels. The Back to School Rallies is an initiative of the Y, which has served as the central coordinator of this event since 2011. Since that time, more than 52,000 backpacks have been given out to children in Central Kentucky communities.
August 1, 2026
LOCATIONS
Coolavin Park/FoodChain
12-4 p.m.
550 West 6th Street
Lexington, KY 40508
Douglass Park
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
726 Georgetown Street
Lexington, KY 40508
Shiloh Baptist Church
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
237 E. Fifth Street
Lexington, KY 40508
Tates Creek Community Center
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
3460 Campus Way
Lexington, KY 40517
Lexington Community Land Trust: The Community Center
9 – 11 a.m.
615 DeRoode Street
Lexington, KY 40508
Valley Park
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
2077 Cambridge Drive
Lexington, KY 40504
Kentucky Horse Park Back to School Bash
July 25, 2026
Fayette County: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Scott County: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
This free community event welcomes Fayette and Scott County students, families, teachers, and staff for a day of fun, entertainment, and horse-filled excitement at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Horse meet & greets
Performances by local school groups
Free family-friendly activities
Food trucks
Pony rides ($8)
Bring the whole family and celebrate the start of a new school year with a fun-filled day at the Park!
Sponsored in part by: 250Lex, Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, Centerpoint Health, Lexington Police Department, T-Fiber
Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning
Back to School Bash
August 8, 2026
9:30 am – 11:30 am
Free
Students will receive a backpack with supplies and a free book.
Business of Barbering Institute
Free Back-to-School Haircut Week
July 27-31, 2026, 9 AM-4 PM, Monday-Friday
208 Legends Lane, Lexington, KY 40505
Free, no appointment needed, all ages (1 through 12th grade)
School Kick Off and Health Fair
August 8, 2026
10 am – 3 pm
You’re Invited! Join us for our Back-to-School Bash—a fun-filled day just for single moms and their kids! Get ready for free haircuts & eye exams, backpacks & school supplies, $5-or-less school shopping, games, prizes, and community resources to help your family thrive this school year. Food truck and fun games. Don’t miss this chance to gear up, connect, and celebrate! RSVP at the link. Child must be registered to receive backpack and school supplies.**
Get ready! Our Back to School Shoe Giveaway is almost here, and we need your help to make it amazing for local kids!
We’re now accepting donations of:
● Brand new shoes
● Monetary donations to help us purchase shoes
● Cash donations are also welcome
Ways to give:
Cash App: $chellbabi
Venmo: @Michelle-Johnson-2525
Zelle: 859-270-7880
PayPal: Michellejohnson12366@gmail.com
Shoe Drop-Off: 228 Rebel Rd, Nicholasville, KY
Need to meet in Lexington? Just send me a message and we’ll arrange a meetup!
Every donation, big or small, helps put a new pair of shoes on a child’s feet and sends them back to school with confidence. Thank you for helping us make a difference!
Local School Supply Drives to Donate Supplies
FCPS Stuff the Bus
Common Needs
- Backpacks (no wheels)
- Composition notebooks
- Colored markers
- Colored pencils
- Disinfectant wipes
- Dry-erase markers
- Earbuds and headphones
- Graphing paper (notebook)
- Pencil boxes or pouches
- Post-it Notes (standard size)
- Spiral notebooks
- Tissues
- Two-pocket folders (plastic)
