Skip to Content
 

Back to School Festival

4th Annual Back to School Festival

Created by 2nd District Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., the Annual Back to School Festival brings Milwaukee families together for a fun-filled day designed to help students start the school year ready for success. Enjoy a number of positive activities for children, including a bounce house, a bike raffle, a live DJ, free food and much more. Free hair haircuts are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. This free community celebration combines essential back-to-school resources with food, entertainment, family activities and opportunities to connect with local organizations and service providers. 


KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

BOOKBAGS
You MUST be wearing a wrist band to receive a bookbag. Upon receiving, wrist bands will be removed by a volunteer.

FOOD
Every guest receives one blue ticket at registration. This ticket is good for one meal at the food area. Please keep it safe until you're ready to eat!

BIKE RAFFLE*
Explore the vendor tables and collect stamps in your Vendor Passport! You must complete at least half of your passport to receive a ticket for the bike raffle.​​​​
 



ONLINE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE NOW!

You can register up to five (5) children online.
If you need to register more than five (5) children, you must register in person.
*Only (2) children per registered adult may receive a free haircut.

REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM.

Parent/Guardian Information

First Name:  Last Name:  

Address:      


Student Information

Child 01

First Name:   Last Name:   Grade Level:

Child 02

      

Child 03

      

Child 04

      

Child 05

      


Free Hair Cuts

  • Haircuts are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Only two (2) children per registered adult may receive a free haircut.
  • If you are registering one of your children listed above for a free hair cut, please enter their names below:

  

  


Participation Agreement

This Participation Agreement is entered into between the City of Milwaukee, a Municipal Corporation located in the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, (“City”) and _________________________, a _________________________, located in _________________________ (“Participant”), (hereinafter, collectively, “the Parties”).

It is understood that Participant wishes to have their children or other members (“Students”) participate in the 4th Annual Back to School Festival on Sunday, August 30, 2026 (“the Event”) at Indigenous Peoples' Park.

Further, it is understood that Participant may wish to facilitate participation in the Event by hosting its Students in a central location without requiring its Students to execute the individual releases required by the City (and attached hereto as Exhibit A).

The City agrees to allow access to the Event described in the preceding paragraph so long as Participant provides a list of participating students to the City.

In consideration for the City’s agreement to require individual releases from the Students, Participant agrees to indemnify City to the fullest extent legally allowable for any personal injury or property damage claims of any Student that may arise out of participation in the Event.

By checking this box, I express my understanding and intent to enter into this Participation Agreement willingly and voluntarily.

Exhibit A


Photo Release

I understand, as parent/legal guardian of the child listed on this form, that there are times when the local media requests the opportunity to videotape, take photographs and/or interview children attending City of Milwaukee events. I also give permission to the city to take or use pictures or videos of my minor child without compensation from the city for published, broadcast or electronic materials. I understand that by signing this, I am on behalf of my child releasing the City of Milwaukee and its directors, officers, employees and agents from any future claims as well as from any liability arising from the use of any photograph or other images.

 I hereby certify that I have read and understand the above information.

Parental Release and Waiver of Liability Agreement

This Release and Waiver of Liability (the “Release”) executed by the undersigned releases the City of Milwaukee and each of its directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively the “City”) from potential liability arising from my child’s participation in the 4th Annual Back to School Festival (the “Event”).

  1. Waiver and Release: I release, forever discharge, and hold harmless the City from any and all liability, claims, and demands which arise or may hereafter arise from my child’s participation in the Event by virtue of the City’s negligence. I understand and acknowledge that this Release discharges the City from any liability or claim for negligence that I may have against the City with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, or property damage that may result from my child’s participation in the Event.
  2. Insurance: I understand that the City does not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide me or my child with financial or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health, or disability benefits or insurance. I expressly waive any such claim for compensation or liability on the part of the City beyond what may be offered freely by the City in the event of injury or medical expenses incurred by my child.
  3. Assumption of Risk: I understand that the Event may include activities that may be hazardous to my child by virtue of the fact that the Event is taking place in a space that is open to the public, currently under renovation, and operates as an active workplace. I acknowledge that participating in the Event comes with risk and expressly assume that risk and release the City from all liability associated with my child’s participation in the Event.
  4. Third Party Claims: I understand that my child is not an agent of the City. I further understand that the City is not agreeing to indemnify, defend, or hold myself or my child harmless for any of my child’s acts or omissions, regardless of whether they are in the course of participating in the Event. Any liability that results from my child’sacts or omissions is solely my responsibility and I agree to indemnify and to hold harmless the City with regard to any claim or expenses including attorneys’ fees and other costs of defending any claim by a third party that results from my child’s acts or omissions.
  5. Photographic Release: I grant and convey to the City all right, title, and interests in any and all photographs, images, video, or audio recordings of my child or his/her likeness or voice made by the City in connection with the Event.
  6. Choice of Law, Venue, and Jurisdiction: This Release shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of Wisconsin. Any litigation relating to this Release must be brought in the state and federal courts having jurisdiction in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, and I consent to the jurisdiction of such courts.
  7. Waiver of the Right to Negotiate: I have considered that if this waiver of liability was not as broad as it is, the cost of holding the Event would be considerably higher and my child may not have the ability to participate in the Event. Because I wish to allow my child the opportunity to participate in the Event, I waive the right to bargain for a different waiver of liability terms.
 By checking this box, I express my understanding and intent to enter into this Release and Waiver of Liability willingly and voluntarily.