Good Hope kids and families swarmed the city’s municipal park on a warm summer Thursday, kicking off the start of a new school year with a little bit of fun before it’s time to hit the books again.

The city’s annual Back-to-School Bash crowded the park with all the typical activities that local families have come to enjoy in the eight years since the city first began the tradition. Bouncy houses, water slides, live music, free food, and some pretty cool prize giveaways all kept the park going strong until nighttime. 

Good Hope Mayor Jerry Bartlett said the event is a way to unite the community and welcome newcomers, and thanked the event’s sponsors for helping put on a party that doesn’t cost the guests any money at all.

“It’s just kind of grown over time, and it’s our community’s way of just getting everybody together, along with the other things we do, like the annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas parade, throughout the year,” he said. “It’s always been really well received, and if you look around, you can see that the kids really have a good time. We get great support from our sponsors, which really helps to make this a special event.”

Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 2560734-2131 ext. 145.