Sacramento, California – For Sacramento families, getting ready for another school year does not have to mean another expensive weekend. This Saturday, McClatchy Park will turn into a one-stop gathering for free groceries, meals, haircuts, children’s activities and community services.
And organizers are making sure it feels more like a celebration than an errand. Superhero photos, inflatables, face painting and a full Kidzone will share the park with practical help for parents and adults.
The annual Back 2 School Block Party, hosted by The Hope Community Church, returns Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McClatchy Park, 3500 5th Avenue. Admission and activities are free.
Families will be able to pick up groceries and non-perishable food, while free food and drinks will also be available during the event. Free haircuts will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
For children, the event will feature inflatables, face painting and opportunities to take photos with superheroes. Adults can connect with educational resources, onsite community services and other organizations participating as resource vendors.
Sacramento City Councilmember Caity Maple, who represents District 5, is again sponsoring the block party. Maple said her team will have a table at the event and will be giving away swag.
“Believe me when I say, it’s a PARTY,” Maple wrote in a Facebook post promoting the gathering.
There is no ticket requirement, so residents can simply arrive during the three-hour event. However, organizers are encouraging attendees to RSVP ahead of time. Those who register will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card.
Registration and additional information are available at sacblockparty.com and thehope.cc/blockparty.
The Hope Community, a nondenominational church based in the Oak Park area with services at 3801 Broadway, organizes the block party as part of its community outreach. The event has become an annual McClatchy Park tradition, bringing together families from Oak Park and surrounding Sacramento neighborhoods.
With school-year expenses adding up quickly, Saturday’s event combines practical assistance with a few hours of entertainment. Families can leave with groceries or a fresh haircut, children can spend the morning in the Kidzone, and residents can learn more about services available in their community — all without paying an admission fee.