AMARILLO, TX -- Thousands of children received free school supplies and immunizations Saturday as part of Kidsfest’s back-to-school event.

Sponsors provided backpacks, paper, pencils, erasers and more for children who will be returning to school in the next few weeks.  Free immunizations were also available.

Booths were set up to provide entertainment and education to children as they made their way through the crowd.  Bouncing tents and video games caught their attention, as well as an open stage for anyone to sing or act.

Stormy and Phurius Beasley and their cousin Larice Jones were among the kids taking advantage of the free school supplies and said this is an event they plan to keep on coming to.

“Getting school supplies,” they said, “playing games, getting snacks, enjoying the people.”

This event had enough to keep them entertained and ready to get back to school.

Snacks and games added to the fun, and Pronews 7’s own Jay Ricci read to the kids as he has done for years.

Kidsfest Publicity Spokesperson Becky Zenor said this event is beneficial to the community because it can help families provide their children with what they need to have a successful school year.

“It's giving back to the kids,” she said.  “I mean, there are some families that might not be able to afford school supplies and, so, thanks to our sponsors, this is our way of helping some of these parents and kids. 

The event has been held at Thompson Park in the past, but, due to the high summer temperatures, was held at the Amarillo Civic Center this year.  The change in location did not seem to hurt attendance: volunteers said they believed every school supply would be gone by the end of the event.