Santa Fe south side hosts back-to-school bash with free supplies

Swan Park on Santa Fe’s south side hosted the City of Santa Fe’s Back to School Bash, a family event built around free food, giveaways, live music, activities and health services. The city’s event page placed the bash at Swan Park, and a separate listing gave the address as 7350 Plaza Central in Santa Fe. One listing said the event was expected to serve 1,000 people.

A City of Santa Fe Facebook post called it “Back to School Bash is back! Get ready for a full day of free family fun,” putting the focus on both celebration and practical help. Another city post said the bash would include an appearance by the Zozobra balloon, adding a familiar local landmark to an event aimed at helping families ease into the school year.

The timing mattered for parents buying supplies, clothes and shoes while also trying to keep up with schedules, transportation and childcare. By staging the event on the south side, the city put the help close to neighborhoods where families can benefit from a one-stop stop for food, activities and health-related services without having to travel across town.

The city’s push also fit into a busy week of back-to-school support across Santa Fe. Santa Fe Public Schools held a separate supply giveaway at Santa Fe High School at 9 a.m. Friday, July 31. Del Norte LOV Foundation also promoted a July 26 back-to-school event at Santa Fe Sam’s Club that included school supplies and community resources. Together, the events gave Santa Fe families multiple chances to pick up help close to home as the new school year approached.