This year’s theme is ‘Tropical,’ meaning Hawaiian shirts, coconuts and inflatable palm trees will be in style for the annual ‘Rock The Block’ back-to-school Tuesday evening kickoff, August 6 from 4 – 7 p.m. outside the historic Train Depot on Broad Street.
Arizona Youth Partnership staff and volunteers coordinate this popular event, which includes free back-to-school items for local students during three hours of family fun including games, demonstrations, free school supplies, vendors and community resource booths. Both non-commercial and commercial exhibitors are welcome and encouraged to dress tropical – with beach-inspired booth décor, too!
Exhibitors are welcome including:
* Local schools - welcome your new students with tables that double as a fundraiser for your class or club. Schools may register for multiple tables to accommodate clubs or sports. Appearances by school mascots and spirit squads will make this event even more fun.
* Resource providers - here’s a great opportunity to meet our community and tell local students and families about the wonderful services you offer. Resource providers should plan ahead and bring school supplies for about 200 students from kindergarten through high school – supplies such as pencils, pens, markers, Hi-Liters, personal tissue packs, sanitizer, notebooks, etc.
* Merchants and retail - sales at the event are not allowed, but this popular evening is a great opportunity to connect with students and their families about your business and provide incentives (coupons, special promotions) to recruit new customers. Also as above, each resource provider is asked to bring some type of free school supplies for about 200 students.
To request an application for booth space, call or text AZYP’s director of community initiatives, Julie Craig, at 928-961-0426 or email Juliec@azyp.org.
