City of Mobile Host Back 2 School Bash with 1,000 Free Supply-Filled Backpacks

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The City of Mobile and the Mobile Parks and Recreation Department (MPRD) are partnering with District 2 Councilwoman Samantha Ingram to host the Back 2 School Bash on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Mardi Gras Park.

Due to expected extreme heat, city officials adjusted the event schedule to run from 10 a.m. to noon. The free community celebration features games, music, line dancing, food, and drinks, culminating in a school-supply-filled backpack giveaway for up to 1,000 students.

“It’s important that students are prepared to go back to school, and a big part of that is ensuring they have everything they need to do their best,” Mobile Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis said. “I’m proud that the city and MPRD are able to help provide these backpacks and school supplies so that young Mobilians can start the school year off right.”

Stacks of clear plastic backpacks filled with school supplies rest on a blue table under a white event tent. The notebooks inside the backpacks display the Mobile Parks and Recreation Department logo. A staff member in a blue department shirt stands behind the table, with other workers and event equipment visible in the background.
Mobile Parks and Recreation Department staff prepare stacks of supply-filled clear backpacks under a tent for the student giveaway.

Adding an educational element to the morning,  MPRD is also hosting a Mars Mission STREAM (Science, Technology, Recreation, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) outdoor adventure from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the park.

A bright, sunny outdoor scene at Mardi Gras Park featuring large colorful inflatable bounce houses and slides set up on a green grass field. In the foreground, a woman walks while carrying a young child, while other families and children are seen walking across the lawn nearby. A brick municipal building stands on the right side under a clear blue sky.
Families gather at Mardi Gras Park for outdoor activities and games during the city’s Back 2 School Bash.

Created for children ages 7 to 13, the morning session gives young participants a chance to build solar-powered mini rovers and  design their own Mars colonies.

Councilwoman Samantha Ingram and Councilman Cory Penn stand side-by-side smiling on the lawn at Mardi Gras Park. Councilwoman Ingram is on the left wearing sunglasses, a white shirt, blue pants, and a blue backpack. Councilman Penn stands on the right wearing sunglasses and a white polo shirt featuring his campaign logo. He holds up a clear plastic backpack packed with blue and green school supplies displaying the Mobile Parks and Recreation Department logo. A large white event tent and city buildings are visible in the background.
District 2 Councilwoman Samantha Ingram and District 1 Councilman Cory Penn showcase one of the supply-filled clear backpacks distributed to students at the Back 2 School Bash.

 

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