Orlando – With most public schools in Central Florida opening up for students next week (Aug. 10), parents can still take advantage of back to school benefits and save money during Florida’s sales tax holiday which ends this weekend.

Here’s a list of upcoming events and details of the sales tax holiday:

• Winter Garden: Back to School Bash. Saturday, Aug. 5, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Hosted by the City of Winter Garden. Winter Garden families can get free food and entertainment, right along with backpacks and other school supplies. While supplies last. Location: Zanders Park & Bouler Pool, 362 11th Street.
• Eatonville: Back to School Community Resource Fair. Saturday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sponsored by the church, the resource fair will have giveaways – food, school supplies such as backpacks and computers. While supplies last. Location: 412 E. Kennedy Blvd. (Lias Fellowship Hall)
• Lake Nona area: Back to School Bash. Saturday, Aug. 5, from 1 -3 p.m. School supplies, free hair cuts and music. Child must be present. First come, first served. Location: LIV Realty Inc., 10783 Narcoossee Road, Suite 113.
• West Orlando/Pine Hills: Back 2 School Bash. Friday, Aug. 4, starting at 11 a.m. Registration on Eventbrite required and the event is for 4th and 5th graders only, according to organizers. Pre-filled backpacks, snacks and other gifts. Organizer: Daily Bread Distribution Center. Location: 2532 Silver Star Road.
• East Orlando: 3rd Annual Back to School Festival. Saturday, Aug. 5, from 12 – 3 p.m. Day in park with games, food and a backpack giveaway. Sponsored by: The Outpouring Orlando. Location: Blanchard Park, 2451 N. Dean Road.
• North Orlando/Rosemont: Annual Backpack Giveaway. Saturday, Aug. 5, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Voices Community Outreach. Registration required. Location: Charity & Love, 4300 Clarcona Ocoee Road, Suite 101.

*These, of course, are not all events being held before school starts! This is just a list from various searches online (Google). Please reach out to individual organizations if you have any questions or concerns. All of the events listed are free. Registration maybe required. Supplies are available while they last.

Florida’s 2023-2024 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday runs through Sunday, Aug. 6. Parents: You can make certain purchases for your child or children and those items would be exempt from taxes. (Example: clothes, shoes, computers and school supplies.) A second tax exempt period will begin Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 and run for about two weeks through Sunday, Jan. 14. Contact the Department of Revenue for details. Click on Consumers tab at: https://floridarevenue.com/backtoschool/Pages/default.aspx

Orlando Community News, 2023