(Photo by Shelley Hanson) Langston Newman, 4, gets his hair cut by stylist Jade Cooper of Rumor Has It during the Back to School Bash held Aug. 7 at St. Vincent de Paul Church of New Martinsville. He is the son of Jennifer Newman of New Martinsville.

Children enjoyed a free Back to School Bash complete with fun, food and school supplies on Aug. 7 at the St. Vincent de Paul Church in New Martinsville.

The church served as the host site for the annual event organized by Community Resources of Wetzel and Tyler counties.

Deania Parrish brought her children Arianna, 5; Ayden, 9; and Avery, 7 to the event to enjoy themselves and get some needed supplies for the new school year. She said they recently moved from New Martinsville to Sardis and her children will be attending River this year.

“We went last year and the kids just had so much fun. They love the bounce houses and this foam pit especially,” she said. “The school supplies are awesome, too. That’s such a help because it’s so expensive. I have three kids and it gets pricey.”

New Martinsville resident Tim Davis was watching his granddaughter Raelynn Davis, 4, slip down a bouncy slide. He said the event was nice because it was allowing the children to have fun before school starts.

At the haircutting station, Jennifer Newman of New Martinsville watched her children, twins Langston and Winston, 4; Graylend, 3; and Kimmie, 5, receive fresh hairstyles.

“I appreciate it. It’s helpful to the community,” Newman said of the bash.

Zoey Dotson, community service specialist for Community Resources, said the event is aimed at helping children start the new school year off right.

“It’s a way to connect with the parents and the kids as well,” she said. “We want the kids to go into the school year happy and confident.”

The children were also given free hot dogs and chips and cookies served by church members. There was a DJ spinning tunes, making the atmosphere festive.

Dotson estimated about 350 children would attend the three-hour event.

In addition to school supplies, the Lace Up for Kids program was also giving out free sneakers. Maddi Seavy, assistant director of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, said 96 sneakers were given out in Wetzel County, and 47 children were signed up to receive sneakers in Tyler County the following week.

Wetzel County Schools’ first day of school is slated Aug. 19. Tyler County Schools’ first day of school is scheduled for Aug. 21 for those in grades 1-12.