Back To School So Soon? FANG Helps Parents Get Ready

It's always a cool event for parents and kids to attend. But the location of the 11th annual FishHawk Area Networking Group (FANG) Back-to-School Festival will ensure it stays cool.

That's because the festival will be held indoors at the Campo Y gymnasium, 3414 Culbreath Rd., Valrico.

The event will take place Sunday, Aug. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. and, as always, will benefit local needy children with back-to-school supplies. 

"We had such a successful event last year and the indoor, air-conditioned space and the partnership with the Y was a great success," said FANG coordinator Nan Hager. "Moving into the air conditioning at the Y where the school supplies need to go for the school supply backpack program anyway is a win-win for us."

With more than 65 local business booths, samples from 10 restaurants, music, extracurricular demonstrations, giveaways and door prizes, there is a lot to do.

Admission is free but $10 worth of new school supplies or a $10 cash donation per family is requested. The supplies will go to the Y’s backpacks for school children collection effort. Last year, more than 400 students received supplies as the result of the event.

In addition to food and business booths, Pure Power Productions will emcee the event and there will be performances by TADA, Music Showcase and Sidekicks Martial Arts. Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village and Westfield Brandon, Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant, Sno Cones, Kettle Corn and more will provide samples.

Representatives from FishHawk Sports Complex and area sports teams will be on hand with information about about fall registration requirements as well.

“This is one annual event that highlights the summer,” said Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village and Westfield Brandon owner Paul Holmberg. “We have been participants every year and, each year, it continues to grow and expand.

The event is sponsored by the Tampa Bay Times/Brandon Times, Kids ‘R’ Kids Valrico and Circa FishHawk, Canine Cabana, Tutoring Club of Valrico and Osprey Observer.

FANG is an organization of more than 100 local business owners who meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Palmetto Club in FishHawk.

For more information, visit www.fangconnect.com, call Nan Hager at 813-657-2418 or email nan@ospreyobserver.com.