East Cobb families looking to get a head start on school supplies have several free options between Saturday, July 18, and Saturday, July 25, including a collection point right on Lower Roswell Road.
The Cobb County Tax Commissioner's office is collecting notebooks, pencils, crayons, folders and other supplies at all five tag office locations through Friday, July 24. East Cobb residents can drop off donations at the East Marietta Tag Office at the East Cobb Government Center, 4400 Lower Roswell Road, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. All donations go to the HOPE Family Resource Center's annual Back to School Giveaway, according to the Cobb County government's back-to-school events page.
Saturday, July 18: KIDS CARE supply drive
The KIDS CARE "Backing the Need" community-wide school supply drive runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Cobb County Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta. Families can meet Rose, the Cobb County District Attorney's comfort dog, look inside a CCPD patrol car, and watch the Cobb PALS Youth Step Team perform at 11:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Keep Cobb Beautiful will also accept recycling drop-offs on site.
The same afternoon, District Attorney Sonya F. Allen hosts the Back-2-School Summer Block Party from noon to 4 p.m. at the Redbud Blossom Family Justice Center, 277 Fairground Street SE, Marietta. That event offers free backpacks, haircuts, a bounce house, food from Whataburger and a live DJ.
July 25: Cobb Bash draws thousands
The biggest event of the stretch is the 5th Annual Back-to-School Cobb Bash on Saturday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta. The Cobb County Sheriff's Office and Cobb Sheriff's Foundation host the free block party, which drew more than 2,900 attendees last year.
Sheriff Craig Owens' office will distribute free backpacks and school supplies while they last. Children enrolling in school this fall can receive dental, hearing, vision and nutrition screenings on site; adults can get free blood pressure checks. The event also features a Parent Resource Zone, an Educator Resource Zone, age-specific activity zones for toddlers through teens, inflatables, food trucks and live entertainment.
The Sheriff's Office said the event aims to ensure students start the year with the supplies and community services they need. Students and educators can register in advance on the Cobb County government's back-to-school events page.
More community events
- Wednesday, July 22: Sweat Mountain Bark Bash, 5 to 7 p.m. at Sweat Mountain Park, 4346 Steinhauer Road, Marietta. Dog-friendly event with vendor booths, paw-parazzi photos and adoptable dogs, part of Cobb County PARKS' National Park and Recreation Month celebration presented by Kaiser Permanente.
- Wednesday, July 29: Screen on the Green outdoor movie night featuring "Hoppers," 6 to 8 p.m. at Fair Oaks Recreation Center, 1465 West Booth Road Extension SW, Marietta. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.
