Evanston Families Showed Up Big for the 3rd Annual Family Fun Fest!
On Saturday, August 9, more than 850 people filled the Robert Crown Community Center for our 3rd Annual Evanston is Family Strong Back to School Family Fun Fest, and it was a day to remember!
From the minute doors opened, families were lining up for backpacks and books. By the end of the day, we had given away 1,000 backpacks and 500 books to make sure kids were ready to head back to school strong. The smiles on children’s faces (and the relief on parents’) said it all.
By the Numbers
🎒 1,000 backpacks
📚 500 books
🎉 850+ attendees
🎨 25+ free family activities
💜 $2,445 raised for the Marjorie Fujara Fund to support our Café Seed Program
🙌 30+ volunteers
🏢 45 vendors
🤝 14 sponsors
So Much to Do!
Everywhere you turned there was something fun happening. Families painted faces, made art, played with the giant blue blocks, and got their portraits taken. The skating rink was packed from 2–4 pm, bubbles floated through the air, and kids ran back and forth between the inflatable games, chalk art, and crafts.
Some crowd favorites:
· The Hula Hoop show and workshop (you could hear the cheering from down the hall!)
· The Protective Factors Immersive Experience: a unique way to learn about the Protective Factors through storytelling, coloring, and hopscotch!
· Family Line Dancing that had everyone from youth to grandparents moving together
· The food and ice cream line was full at all times!
Remembering Dr. Marjorie Fujara
We also paused to honor Dr. Marjorie Fujara, whose legacy continues to inspire this event. Thanks to your generosity, the Marjorie Fujara Fund received $2,445 this year.
This fund supports the Café Seed Program, which expands community-based, parent-led child abuse prevention efforts by launching Parent Cafés in new communities. Parent Cafés are safe, supportive spaces where parents come together to share their experiences, reduce stress, and strengthen family bonds while breaking the isolation that so many families face. Through these conversations, parents build resilience and community, which directly contributes to child and family well-being.
By donating to the Marjorie Fujara Fund, you’re helping families gain access to these life-changing spaces of connection and support. Together, we can continue to grow the reach of Parent Cafés and strengthen families across communities.
Please consider donating to the Marjorie Fujara Fund today!
The Power of Community
It truly takes a village. Over 30+ volunteers gave their time and energy, 45 vendors shared resources, and with 14 sponsors contributing $10,583, the Fun Fest was able to offer more free activities and giveaways than ever before. Together, we created a day where families felt connected, celebrated, and cared for.
What’s Next
The Family Fun Fest isn’t just a back-to-school event—it’s proof of what happens when a community comes together. We’re already looking forward to next year and dreaming up new ways to make it even bigger and better.
Relive the Fun: Hear directly from families about their favorite moments of the Evanston Family Fun Fest!