From left to right front Dana Kennedy second grade, Brittney Kennedy Fifth grade, Anthony Craft sixth grade, Amiya Kennedy sixth grade, and back row William Kennedy ninth grade all showcase their new backpacks from the St. Mark Baptist Church 13th Annual Back to School Bash. William Kennedy also won a door prize at the event a new pair of headphones.

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Not only did each student get a new backpack it was also filled with school supplies as well.

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Pearlie Ashford left and Virginia Moore right man the high school sign in table at the back to school bash at St. Mark Baptist Church.

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Cheryl Goodwin with Fairfield Behavioral Health set's up a tobacco education display during back to school event on Saturday.

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James Jeter serves as master of ceremony during St. Mark Baptist Church' s back to school bash.

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For the last 12 years St. Mark Baptist Church has hosted an annual back to school bash to gear the students up for their big return back to school.

Over the years they have prided themselves with serving 300 children, with a max of 373 one year, for an estimated totals of 3,673 students served in 12 years.

This is all done with the help of the community, church, and dedicated volunteers who each year continue to show their support.

This year’s 13th annual event was just as exciting as ever before with about 150 students in attendance at the start of the program on Saturday morning.

Each child that attended the bash is provided with a book bag, pencils, folder, paper, notebooks, other school supplies, and lunch.

The program also provides spiritual nourishment as well as physical for the children and their families with prayer, praising, and lunch.

Organizers Cheryl Goodwin and Jackie Foster are proud of the responsive they get from the community, and the chance to provide if even for the day spatula guidance to so many young people and their families.

This back to school bash is all so a chance for the church youth to also showcase their talent as they sing dance and lead the program.

Students in grades kindergarten through 12 grade can attend and receive supplies.

This is the first year that the group will have a present action from Fairfield Behavioral Health on tobacco prevention.

Everything during the event was kid friendly from the music to the decorations and made for a fun filled event.