Back-to-School Festival

Hosted by Christine’s Place

A Community Celebration Supporting Families as They Prepare for a New School Year. Christine’s Place is pleased to host our Back‑to‑School Festival, a free, family‑friendly community outreach event created to support local families facing financial pressure as they prepare for the upcoming school year. This celebration is designed to ensure that children start school equipped, encouraged and confident, and that families experience dignity, care and connection along the way.

Event Details

📅 Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Rivermill Park & Parking Lot, Huntsville, Ontario

Who This Event Is For

The Back‑to‑School Festival is open to families with school‑aged children who could benefit from extra support as they navigate the costs and challenges of back‑to‑school preparation.

Our heart is to remove practical barriers, ease financial stress and create a welcoming, inclusive environment where families feel seen, valued and encouraged by their community.

What Families Can Expect

Families attending the festival will enjoy a fun, supportive and resource‑rich experience, including:

🎒 Free backpacks for children (while supplies last)
📚 Essential school supplies to promote a strong start in the classroom
🧩 Family‑friendly activities, games, and food
🍎 Community resources from local agencies, churches and service organizations
💬 Warm connection and encouragement from caring volunteers and partners

We anticipate welcoming 150+ families and distributing approximately 300 backpacks as part of this collaborative community effort.

A Community Partnership Event

The Back‑to‑School Festival is made possible through the generosity and collaboration of local sponsors, businesses, churches, charities and service providers.

Between 10–15 community partner booths will be on-site, offering families access to practical resources, trusted referrals and meaningful connection points across Muskoka.

Get Involved

There are many meaningful ways to be part of this impactful day:

🤝 Volunteer

Support the event through planning, setup, registration, activities, backpack distribution or clean‑up.

🏫 Partner

Organizations are invited to host a booth and share services or resources that support children and families.

🎁 Give

Financial gifts and donations of school supplies help us meet tangible needs and expand our reach.

🌟 Sponsor

We welcome caring community members and organizations who wish to invest in local families and help make this event possible.

Why Do This

At Christine’s Place, we believe that practical support opens the door to hope. The Back‑to‑School Festival reflects our commitment to walking alongside families, strengthening community connections and ensuring no one faces life’s challenges alone.

Together, we can surround families with care and help children step into a new school year with confidence and dignity.