In the midst of one of Texas’ most grueling heat waves, thousands of families showed up at Fair Park for the 15th annual Mayor’s Back to School Fair presented by Walmart on August 4.

From free school supplies for qualifying students, to free health, dental and vision screenings, immunizations and haircuts, to the latest information on education, health and social services, the Fair was a one-stop shop to prep the whole family for the first day of school!

Hours before the doors opened, early birds began lining up outside the Centennial Building. TV trucks were on the scene while organizers, safety officials, and hundreds of volunteers stood by making sure families were safe, hydrated and happy. Coca-Cola came through by donating bottled water and plenty of thirst-quenching beverages for the entire fair, while also supplying volunteers to distribute to the masses. Costumed characters, mascots, cheerleaders, drum lines and more made for a cheerful ambience.

Before the doors opened, WFAA’s Cynthia Izaguirre took the stage to welcome the crowds and introduce Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. With less than a month in office, Mayor Rawlings was a natural in leading the opening ceremonies and thanking all the gracious sponsors and volunteers. Once the Fair officially began, he made his way inside to personally greet families.

Thanks to fast-moving lines, an increased number of pre-registered students, blasting air-conditioning, and plenty of free liquids, the hot temps didn’t divert Dallasites from getting everything they needed for school. Excellent safety precautions enforced by the Dallas Police Department, Dallas Fire & Rescue and Dallas ISD Police resulted in less than a handful of heat-related incidents, all of which were minor and treated on site. And with Dallas Fire & Rescue estimating between 35,000 – 40,000 in attendance, you could say, “We beat the heat!”

At the end of the day, Walmart had conducted 1,468 health screenings and 1,611 vision screenings; Dallas County Health and Human Services had immunized 150 children and administered more than 400 vaccinations; Ogle Hair, Skin & Nails along with Cedric B’s Barber and Beauty Salon gave over 600 haircuts; Baylor College of Dentistry had conducted 1250 dental screenings and varnishings; and MetroPCS gave away 7,500 backpacks.

Without all the tremendous support of sponsors, partners and the 450 volunteers, the Mayor’s Back To School Fair wouldn’t have been possible. A big thanks goes to presenting sponsor Walmart, and major sponsors Chase and MetroPCS.

Other sponsors included Action Metals, Aetna Foundation, All Smiles Dental and Orthodontics, Amerigroup, Baylor Health Care System, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Clean Energy Fuels, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Dallas Fort Worth Airport, Dallas Mavericks Foundation, Fidelity Investments, Fast Signs, Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities, GE Capital Equipment Finance, Gold Metal Recyclers, Al G. Hill, Jr., Methodist Health System, State Fair of Texas, Texas Instruments, TXU Energy, Unicare, and Yellow Cab.

Community partners were Baylor College of Dentistry Texas A&M Health Science Center, Cedric B’s Barber and Beauty Salon, Dallas County Health and Human Services, Dean Foods, Eastfield College, Emergency Ice, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, Half Price Books, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Ogle School of Hair, Skin and Nails, and Southeast Dallas Chamber of Commerce.

Media partners were WFAA, Univision 23, Time Warner Cable, Al Dia, The Greensheet, K104, KR&B 105.7, 1270 AM La Voz del Pueblo and 107.9 La Kalle, 97.9 The Beat and 94.5 K Soul. DART was the official transportation provider.

The Mayor’s Back To School Fair is a collaborative effort between the City of Dallas, Dallas area schools, public health departments, state agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations and hundreds of volunteers.

“For years, the Mayor’s Back To School Fair has served as a one-stop shop designed to help families prepare for the first day of school,” said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. “We truly appreciate the donors, nonprofit partners, media sponsors, schools and volunteers for their tremendous generosity in making this day possible.”