Back to School Bash held at Point Gratiot Park (2024)

Parking spots were hard to come by as crowds gathered at the annual Back to School Bash on Monday. The event included a bounce house, a Gaga Ball pit full of activity throughout the evening, and a long line for arguably the busiest of all the community partners, a clown creating balloon animals for a steady stream of smiling children. Deejay Giulia Sowrey of Star Sirch provided music for the event.

“I love events like this because when everybody comes together, it shows how we can interact as a community,” said Dan Siracuse, United Ways community relations coordinator. “You see everything from food, to music, to games, to nonprofits, everybody is here for the same reason.

It’s great to see a lot of these kids that are just entering school come to an event like this. To be able to see the whole community like this, it must be so cool for them.”

A tent was set up for various community organizations to set up shop for families to learn more about the resources available within the community. A fixture at the annual event is the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County, which is no stranger to being a part of fun filled activities for Dunkirk youth.

Pictured are Dunkirk students Tiana Hough, left, and Shauntrea Boyd, right, at the Back to School Bash at Point Gratiot Park in Dunkirk.

“It’s nice to see kids interacting with the Gaga Ball pit and the playground. They are actually part of the park and using it for what it’s intended for, which is really nice to see,” said Jeannie Gallaway, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County.

The event is focused on children going back to school in the coming days, but it has become more than just a school event.

“It’s exciting and outstanding. It’s a good way to draw people together,” said Dunkirk Superintendent Mike Mansfield. “It’s a real collaborative effort with the City, the United Way, and the School working together. With a little luck with the weather, it’s a really nice event.”

The event launched coming out of the pandemic as a way to bring the community together again. The former Picnic at the Point event by the city and the school’s annual back to school event have combined in recent years to become one annual tradition.

“It’s just grown into, this is what we do every year,” Mansfield said.

Representing the United Ways of Chautauqua County are, from left, Executive Director Amy Rohler, Community Impact Manager Eric Rinaldo, and Community Relations Coordinator Dan Siracuse.

Noting that family engagement is a focus of the district, Mansfield added, “This is a big event, an important event.”

The event was coordinated between the City of Dunkirk, Dunkirk City Schools, and the United Ways of Chautauqua County. Collaboration has been a focal point of the United Ways in recent months, as the organization at each end of the county merged as one United Ways organization moving forward.

United Ways Executive Director Amy Rohler said at Monday’s event, “We’re excited to partner with the City of Jamestown and the Dunkirk City Schools, and all the nonprofits that are offering services to Dunkirk families and students.”

Sponsors for the event included DFT Communications, National Grid, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, Personal Touch Food Service, Lions Club, KeyBank, Walmart, Save a Lot, the Waterfront Foundation, and the Kosciuszko Club.

This year, haircuts were offered by local stylists, ice cream was offered by Wells, refreshments were provided by Refresco, and hot dogs and snacks were also provided. Among multiple entities providing supplies to students, the Boys and Girls Club handed out approximately 200 backpacks on Monday.

One of the most popular parts of Monday’s event was a clown creating balloon animals for a long line of guests.

“Thank you to all the people who pitch in and help,” Mansfield said. “… We hope to have a great school year and do this again.”

As he does at events throughout the community, Siracuse paused and took in the moment as hundreds filled the park. Siracuse felt pride for the event coordination as a whole, including the City of Dunkirk’s willingness to support an event like Monday’s. “It proves why I want to raise my kids in this community,” Siracuse said.