It is a busy time for parents, as they try to prepare their children for the first day of school.

From shopping for school supplies to scheduling appointments for immunizations, the tasks can be daunting and overwhelming.

In an effort to help those parents with their to-do lists, the Tinley Park-Park District brought back its Back to School Fun Fair, which was held Thursday, Aug. 17, at the recreation center’s grounds.

Park District Recreation Supervisor Mary Wrobel described the fair as a “nice end-of-summer event,” as many gathered for an evening of fun.

“First of all, it’s free,” she said. “It’s just a nice way to get out.”

Attendees got a chance to experience a performance by Circus Boy and listen to music from DJ Don Gray, as well as participate in carnival games and contests. Treats like popcorn, snow cones and other goodies were provided for all to take advantage of.

Katie Gustafson, of Tinley Park, said she and her children had so much fun at the fair last year that it was a no-brainer for them to return.

“It was just a nice night, so we decided to come out and see what they had to offer this year,” she said.

And what the Gustafsons loved most was watching Circus Boy balance himself on his unicycle.

Christie Konior shared some of Gustafson’s sentiments.

Konior and her family are new to the Tinley Park community and used the fair as a way to get to know more of their neighbors.

“I feel like we’ve met a lot of people,” she said. “[My children have] done some sports through the park district already, in the pool and [in] the indoor play area, and our subdivision has a block party. We’ve made a lot of friends so far.”

Konior added that her children are excited to start the school year and cannot stop talking about it. Konior noted her daughter is heading into first grade this year, and “she’s very excited.”

Like Konior, first-time attendee Sonia Terrazas did not know what to expect at the Back to School Fun Fair, but she was excited to try something new.

The Tinley Park mother said she learned only recently of the event through Facebook.

“I just came to check it out, because it’s my first time here, but it looks like … they’re having a great time,” she said. “It’s [a] good thing they have a lot of different [activities].”

All in all, Wrobel noted the fun fair does a wonderful job of satisfying the park district’s goal, which is to create a space for the community “to come together, come out [and] do something.”