The Edison Local School District is celebrating a new year with the annual Back To School Rally on Thursday.

   The rally will be held from 5-8 p.m. in the parking lot of the Edison High School Fieldhouse in Richmond and includes games and treats from Movin’ & Groovin’ Productions of Toronto, free school supplies, information, a Meet the Team activity with fall sports athletes and a performance from the EHS Marching Band. Assistant Superintendent Julie Kireta said kids can enjoy inflatable rides and lots of goodies as they prepare to return to class on Aug. 24.

   “This is an opportunity for the students to pick up their school supplies and several agencies the district partner with will be able to discuss their role in the district,” Kireta said, adding that the Jefferson County Health Department and Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County were new additions as vendors this year.

    Inflatable rides will be available from 5-7 p.m. with the Meet the Team event at 7 p.m., which will be immediately followed by a mandatory fall sports meeting. About 20 vendors will also be present including the Edison Local School District Office, district transportation department, EHS, Stanton and John Gregg Elementary Schools, J.B. Green Team, Jefferson County Health Department, Nutrition, Inc., EHS Swim Team, Wildcat Mom Squad, EHS Golf Team, EHS Cheerleaders, Family Recovery Center, The Village Network, PLSJ, Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board, Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and Richmond United Methodist Church.

   Free school supplies will be distributed in string bags according to grade level and items range from pencils and crayons to notebooks and earbuds. Athletic passes will also be available for senior citizens as well as fall season tickets and apparel for Wildcat fans.

   The Back To School Rally, which has been held for about six years, was temporarily placed on hold amid the COVID pandemic but restarted last year. It has drawn an estimated 400 participants in the past and another successful turnout is expected.