The Back to School Splash Bash is an event in Parkland that has taken place for the last eight years. It takes place at The Equestrian Center at 8350 Ranch Road on Sept nine from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and was full of smiling children, music, water attractions, food trucks, games and arts and crafts. The event was free entry and open for all ages.
“These are good transition events between school and summer,” City Commissioner Jordan Isrow said.
Sponsoring the splash bash were Broward Health, Calvary Chapel, Carmona Smiles and Costal Community Church. Each sponsor had a tent set up in a line by the parking lot with free give-aways for the people attending.
Most of the families in attendance had middle and elementary school age children. Lots of the kids who hadn’t seen each other all summer were finally able to have some fun and the adults could catch up with each other while the kids played. Parents were taking lots of photos of their kids splashing each other and running around with bubbles stuck to them. Some families even brought beach tents and lawn chairs so they could relax in the shade.
Throughout the event, kids were filling their bellies with the deliciousness provided by the food trucks in attendance. The Kona Ice truck gave kids funny-colored tongues with their flavorful syrups. Bobby’s Hotdogs and Tacos Veracruz provided more lunch worthy options like Chicago style hotdogs and authentic Mexican food.
“The goal was to make kids happy,” Isrow said.
DJ Aarron Shapiro was spinning the early 2000s tracks and the kids were loving it. The DJ also had fun competitions going on like a hula-hoop contest. There were seven inflatable attractions to pick from, including a bouncy house, a foam pit, two water slides where you race your friends and three regular water slides. At every inflatable there was someone watching the kids and making sure they were playing fair and safe.
“The smiles you see on the kids’ faces are priceless,” City of Parkland Director of Communications Todd DeAngelis said.
Entertainment options for children of working parents during the weekends can be difficult or even expensive. The splash bash being a free and convenient way to entertain the children for a few hours while enabling them to see their school friends. Its also a great way to cool off from the outrageous summer temperatures.
