Riiing!  The sound of the school bell is almost here.  The 10th annual “WGN-TV Back-to-School Kids Fair” will be held Friday, August 5th, 6-9am at the WGN-TV Studios, located at 2501 W. Bradley Place in Chicago.  The WGN Morning News crew 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 the Jesse White Tumblers, South Shore Drill Team, and Broadway in Chicago’s “Peter Pan” and “Cirque Shanghai” now playing at Navy Pier.  Fun activities include face painting, balloon animal artists, inflatable bouncers from Record-A-Hit Entertainment and A Moon Jump 4-U, and interactive fun in the StoryBus.  Kids will also be able to learn new things about the animal kingdom at the Brookfield Zoo and Shedd Aquarium booths. My Gym will lead kids in fun-filled fitness activities.

WGN-TV’s booth will once again have the Wheel of Fun with chances to win prizes from sponsors such as 1-800-DENTIST, Museum of Science and Industry, Arby’s, Dinkel’s Bakery, Pepsi, Luna, Cook Brothers, MSI, Culver’s, PLS Financial, and items from the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks.

The force will be with visitors when Darth Vader and 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), and McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade (Teddy Turkey).  Also, check out the Chicago Cubs’ new trolley and the Blackhawks booth for a chance to win prizes.

Health screenings and safety tips always play important parts at the fair and this year is no exception.  Physicians from Resurrection/St. Joseph 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 immunizations to all visitors.  In addition, Advance Vision Center will provide free vision screenings, the Chicago Dental Hygienists’ Society will provide free dental checks, and Alexian Brothers Health System will educate parents and children about concussions and staying safe while playing sports.

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 participate in a 911 Safety Simulator at the State Farm booth.  Hair Cuttery will also be on hand to generously provide free haircuts to students, and New Music School will provide musical education.

In addition, attendees can visit Dominicks, Dunkin Donuts, Pepsi, and Ann Sather’s booths for free refreshments.  Connie’s Pizza and Dreamfields Healthy Pasta are new this year, along with cool treats from Starfruit.