New location, same back-to-school blast.
The Richmond Police Activities League’s (RPAL) annual Back-to-School Carnival, previously located at Civic Center, will this year take place at nearby Nicholl Park from Friday Aug. 16 through Sunday, Aug. 18.
The carnival will transform Nicholl Park “into a playground of thrilling rides, great games where participants can win great prizes, fabulous food and sweet treats,” according to RPAL.
The RPAL Carnival will run Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 11 p.m.
About 300 students attending the carnival will have an opportunity to receive backpacks filled with school supplies as part of a continuing partnership between RPAL and PG&E. The backpack giveaway will take place Saturday at noon until supplies run out.
“It’s heartwarming to see the joy on the faces of young people when they receive their backpacks filled with school supplies,” says Larry Lewis, Executive Director of RPAL. “That’s why we felt that the backpack giveaway is a very critical component of the carnival. We’re grateful, not only for the donation from PG&E and our community partners, but also the light it sheds on our community.”
Lewis added that RPAL would like to develop more partnerships to be able to give away more backpacks, “because there is a tremendous need in our community.”
“Studies show students who don’t have their own school supplies perform poorly throughout the year,” he said.
If you purchase tickets pre-sale before Aug. 16, the price for a one-day wristband is $25, a $5 savings. Tickets can be purchased online at www.rpal.org or at:
- RPAL, 2200 Macdonald Ave, Richmond
- Girls Inc of West Contra Costa, 260 Broadway, Richmond
- Richmond Recreation Complex, 3230 Macdonald Ave, Richmond
- Leftside Printing, 979-23rd Street, Richmond
