The 2025 Third Annual Back-to-School Bash

This isn’t just a back-to-school event—it’s a full-blown celebration of youth, community, and power on the South Side!

Hosted by Chicago Emerging Stars—a youth-led nonprofit empowering young people through mentorship, education, and opportunity—and led by dynamic youth advocate Jaqueza Thomas, this one-of-a-kind bash is where fun meets purpose. We're transforming Cole Park into a vibrant space of joy, connection, and impact—for one epic day your whole family will remember.

At Chicago Emerging Stars, we believe every young person—no matter where they start—deserves the chance to shine. That belief fuels everything we do, from one-on-one mentorship and college readiness, to leadership development and career training. This event is an extension of that mission—a chance to uplift, equip, and celebrate the next generation of Chicago leaders.

What to Expect:

We’re going BIG this year—with more excitement, more giveaways, and more impact than ever before:

• 1,000+ FREE backpacks stuffed with school essentials
• Rock-climbing walls, zip-lining, and a trackless train ride for kids of all ages
• Live music, DJs, and surprise guest performances
• Face painting, games, bounce houses, and tons of kid-friendly fun
• Free haircuts and hairstyles from professional barbers & stylists—show up fresh for Day 1!
• Mouthwatering FREE food—BBQ, tacos, cotton candy, snow cones & more
• Free immunizations to keep our youth healthy and classroom-ready
• Massive raffle giveaways—Last year’s winners walked away with iPads, brand-new kicks & more… this year’s surprises? You’ll have to be there to find out!
• Work & Wellness Fair (Ages 16–24): More than just resources — this is your shot at real opportunity. Meet with employers, explore career paths, and even land a job through on-the-spot interviews happening at the event.
• And much, much more!

Whether you're coming for the fun, the support, or the sense of belonging, this event is designed to lift our youth higher and set them up for success in every way. It’s a day of giving, growing, and glowing together—and you’ll want to be there for every second.

• Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
• Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Location: Cole (Nat King) Park – 361 E 85th St, Chicago, IL 60619
• Contact: future@chicagoemergingstars.org

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