For the second year in a row, the Columbia City Park was the location for the annual Back to School Bash.
The bash serves to bring the community together one last time before school starts and to give children something to look forward to prior to the first bell ringing on classes. And, it is entirely free.
Like last year’s inaugural bash, the main event was a magic show from master magician Lance Burton. Burton performed thousands of shows in Las Vegas for more than three decades before returning home to Adair County in 2020. He continues to accept limited engagements across the nation, but Adair County youth have been the recipient of several free shows in the past few years.
This year, he was assisted with magician Aaron Harp of Hodgenville and special guest Gabriella Versace.
“My whole career’s been considered family entertainment. It’s something you can bring your kids to, your grandma to… That’s the one advantage that magic has, is it has a very broad appeal across all ages, across all nationalities,” Burton said.
After the show, Burton was available to sign autographs.
In addition to the magic show, the Back to School Bash offered free school supplies for students returning to classes; t-shirts commemorating the second Back to School Bash were given out to attendees; food such as hot dogs, cookies, snacks, popcorn, and more were available; face painting was an option for the children who wanted a design drawn; and Mayor Pam Hoots gave out backpacks. And, of course, all of this was happening right next to the splash pad for those seeking a fun way to cool off.
“Who knows, next year we might have a Ferris wheel,” Burton said. “Some little ride or bounce house.”
“Or Merry-Go-Round,” Mayor Hoots added.
More magic shows with Burton are being planned for the fall. Adair County students begin school on Wednesday, Aug. 14, now with new t-shirts, backpacks, and school supplies.
By Kenley Godby
kenley@adairvoice.com
