Riiing! The sound of the school bell is almost here.  WGN-TV’s 9^th annual “WGN-TV Back-to-School Kids Fair” will be held Friday, August 13, 6-9am at WGN-TV Studios, located at 2501 W. Bradley Place in Chicago.  WGN’s own WGN Morning News talent will broadcast live from the event.  The free fair will feature food, fun, health screenings, safety tips and everything parents need to get kids ready for school.  Text FAIR to 97999 to get a Kids Fair reminder sent to your phone.

There will be plenty of entertainment including a performance from members of “Shrek: The Musical.”  ABT Electronics will have a tent full of iPads for the kids to explore.  In addition, the Jesse White Tumblers and the South Shore Drill Team, are scheduled to perform.  Fun activities include face painting, balloon animal artists, inflatable bouncers from A Moon Jump 4U and Record-A-Hit Entertainment, and interactive fun in the Kohl McCormick Story Bus.  Also, check out the latest fall looks with the ‘back-to-school fashion show’ at the fair. 

WGN-TV’s booth will once again have the Wheel of Fun with chances to win prizes from sponsors such as 1-800-Dentist, Cook Bros., Indiana Beach, Brookfield Zoo, MSI, Culvers, Harry & David, PLS Financial and items from the Cubs, Sox, Bulls and Hawks.

The force will be with visitors when Darth Vader, Storm Troopers arrive to greet visitors.  Also fairgoers can take photos with team mascots from the Chicago Bulls (Benny the Bull), Chicago Fire (Sparky), Chicago Wolves (Skates), Chicago White Sox (South Paw), Chicago Bears (Stanley), Chicago Blackhawks (Tommy Hawk), Chicago Sky (Sky Guy), and Teddy the Turkey.   Check out the Chicago Cubs booth for ‘kids club’ fun.

Health screenings and safety tips always play important parts at the fair, and this year is no exception with the HealthyKey Health Zone.  Physicians from Resurrection/St. Joseph’s Hospital will perform free back-to-school physical exams and health screenings for those who bring their medical records.  The Chicago Department of Health will provide free lead screenings and immunizations to all visitors. In addition, Advance Vision Center will provide free vision screenings.  1-800-DENTIST will provide free toothbrushes.  The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation will provide literature and brochures on Diabetes. Visitors also can stop by Bally Total Fitness’ booth for kid-friendly fitness activities and health tips for parents. In addition, SuperCuts will provide free haircuts. 

As for safety tips, attendees can check out the Illinois Secretary of State child seat checkpoint booth, which will answer questions about child seat safety.  Fingerprinting will be offered by the City Clerk’s Office.  The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago will provide First Aid lessons and interactive games.  Kids can also participate in a 911 Safety Simulator at the State Farm booth.

Learn new things about the animal kingdom at the Brookfield Zoo and Shedd Aquarium booths.  Check out educational activities and get supplies and goodies for the upcoming school year at the Costco and Quill.com booths. 

In addition, attendees can visit Dunkin Donuts, Pepsi, and Ann Sather’s, Harry & David and Dominick’s booths for free refreshments.  Market Day will provide fruit snacks and other goodies.