Back-to-school events help students start year off right

The countdown to the first day of school has begun, which means it's out with the sun-filled summer days and in with backpacks filled with pens, pencils, papers and possibilities.

To help make the transition a bit easier, local organizations will host back-to-school events to provide students with the supplies, skills and excitement needed to make the most of the school year.

Here's where you can go:

Free school supplies, haircuts at Ragin Prep Christian Academy

Sponsored by Ragin Preparatory Christian Academy, Love Locs Academy and 521 Auto Sales, the public is invited to a back-to-school event that will include free school supplies, free food for kids, vendors, performances and family fun.

There will also be free haircuts and retwists, and availabilty is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The event is from 2:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, at Ragin Prep, 68 Market St.

Sumter Police Department's annual Back to School Bash

Each year, Sumter Police Department brings together local public safety agencies to help parents and students kick off the school year with useful information for safety and fun-filled memories.

Attendees can meet representatives from Sumter Fire Department, Sumter County EMS, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Sumter County Department of Juvenile Justice, Tandem Health, Duke Energy, SAFE Federal Credit Union, Durant Children's Center, Safe Kids of Sumter County, YMCA of Sumter and many more. There will also be Kona Ice, face painting, balloon artists and musical entertainment from DJ Howie D.

This year's event will be at Birnie HOPE Center, 210 S. Purdy St., from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, July 28. In the event of rain, the event will move to July 30.

P.A.R.K. event

Sumter County Coordinating Council will host P.A.R.K. for students and parents on Saturday, Aug. 1.

P.A.R.K, which stands for "Parents Accessing Resources 4 Kids," will provide information from community partners, including Sumter Aquatics Center, which will provide free hands-only CPR training, there will be tips on regulating emotions from Sumter Behavioral Health, information on food and nutrition from S.C. State 1890 Research and Extension and information on healthy relationships with YWCA of the Upper Lowlands. There will also be free health screenings.

Students can also pick up free school supplies and bookbags, while supplies last. Farmers Telephone Cooperative will also host a giveaway for a free iPad.

Only students present will receive school supplies and must be accompanied by parents at all times.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sumter County Civic Center, 700 W. Liberty St.