First Day Fest set for Sunday

The Lowcountry's largest back-to-school celebration is going green and getting healthier.

The seventh annual First Day Festival will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Liberty Square near the South Carolina Aquarium and Charleston Maritime Center downtown. Its goal is to ramp up students' excitement about returning to class next week. The first day of school in Dorchester 2 and 4 is Monday, and the first day in Berkeley and Charleston is Tuesday.

Last year was the first that festival organizers tried to be environmentally friendly, and that effort will be intensified this year. Recycling bins will be provided, food waste will be collected in compost bins and volunteers and exhibitors will be encouraged to reduce their trash.

One new aspect of the festival will be a health and wellness zone that includes health-related exhibits and vision screenings. The event's food court has been transformed and redesigned to offer a more educational experience to promote healthy lifestyles and wellness. Attendees will be able to sample healthy snacks and foods, and local chefs will perform cooking demonstrations with more nutritional options.

"It's an opportunity for us to educate parents," said Jacquie Kennedy, executive director of the Charleston Mayor's Office for Children, Youth and Families.

More than 9,000 children and their parents attended the city-sponsored event last year, and officials encouraged families to come to the festival for free school supplies, entertainment, food, boat rides and information about services for students.

Kennedy said organizers aren't trying to make the festival bigger, but they do want to make sure it is focused on families and children and that it is an educational, health-conscious and green event.

The festival will include a food drive this year. Attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Lowcountry Food Bank. It's not a requirement for admission, and Kennedy said she thought it would be a small but wonderful way to give back to the community.

Families can park for $1 at the Aquarium and Gaillard garages, and shuttles will be provided from the Gaillard garage.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENTS

Lowcountry schools will welcome students back from their summer break next week, and parents can find free school supplies at a number of community events.

• Free clothing and school supplies 5 p.m. today and 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Westminster Presbyterian in West Ashley. A partnership of Presbyterian churches will distribute free clothing, including two pairs of pants, two shirts, socks and other articles, and school supplies.

• It's Cool to Be in School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the North Charleston Coliseum's exhibit hall, 5001 Coliseum Drive. The North Charleston Police Department, a community panel and local ministers will offer free school supplies and other donated items.

• First Day Festival on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Liberty Square at the South Carolina Aquarium and the Charleston Maritime Center. The city-sponsored, seventh annual event offers free school supplies, entertainment, free aquarium tours and information for families.

Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.