Oglethorpe County’s annual Community Day is set to return to Oglethorpe County Middle School on Saturday, Aug. 2. The event will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria, offering school supplies, family fun and local resources for residents and others.
Organizers moved the event from Bryan Park in 2024 due to excessive summer temperatures, expressing the indoor venue made a noticeable difference.
“We’re hoping that it turns into a permanent change because it’s been such a wonderful thing. We’re very grateful to (school superintendent) Ms. (Beverley) Levine and, of course, Principal (Mack) Baldwin for allowing us access to it,” said Jeanne Jones, longtime Community Day organizer. “It just makes it a lot easier and a lot cooler, and much more comfortable.”
This year’s event will feature more food vendors, an expanded “Touch-a-Truck” display from Oglethorpe County Fire & Rescue, a dunk tank and local organizations, from the local library to Medlink, which will provide information to parents and students.
Jones anticipates a larger crowd from last year’s record-breaking number of attendees, which was placed at about 500 people.
“We’ve just got a bigger turnout,” Jones said. “But all in all, it’s going to be very similar to last year. We hope every year that our event grows bigger.”
Even though school starts Friday, families who attend can pick up free school supplies, many of which are provided by the school district.
Students will receive a “passport” upon check-in, which can be stamped at various booths after learning about community resources. Completed passports can be exchanged for headphones or entered into a prize drawing.
More entertainment will be provided by the high school band, cheerleaders and a local DJ. The movie “The Book of Life” will begin playing at sunset to round out the night.
For Jones, Community Day is a day to bring people together for a joyful event before the school year begins.
“Seeing all of the students coming out and seeing the entire community come out together as one and getting the resources that they need throughout the school year and just celebrating going back to school,” she said.