First Posted: 8/19/2012

It’s the time of year that you will see parents smiling from ear to ear as their sweet little ones head off to school for the 2012-13 school year.

Before heading back to school next week, head over to the free Back to the Books in Style event for some quality NEPA family fun.

If you are looking for some last minute back to school savings and a fun filled afternoon with family, visit Back to the Books in Style at The Mall at Steamtown on Saturday, August 25 from 11a.m. to 3 p.m.

Stores in the mall will be offering special discounts on school supplies, haircuts, clothing and accessories.

The 2012 Back to the Books in Style event is hosted by PA Moms Connect, a collaborative venture composed of two NEPA website owners from Bucktown Bargains and NEPA Mom. This event is sponsored by The Mall at Steamtown in order to help showcase local businesses, birthday party venues, educational services, after school activities, healthy kid activities, local services, parenting resources, community activities and events from NEPA businesses.

This fun filled afternoon will include vendors from Price Chopper, Mainsource Food & Party Warehouse, Families United Network, Jewish Community Center (JCC), YMCA, Refer-Local, Party2Ya, Keeping It Kleen, Commonwealth Connections Academy, United Sports Academy, Great Wolf Lodge, Linn McDonald School of Dance, MetLife and over a dozen direct sales representatives.

Free entertainment will be provided at center court, including magic by Michael Jinx, performances by the Keystone Extreme Cheerleaders, United Sports Academy, Green Ridge Youth Theater and a fashion show hosted by the Moms Club of Scranton.

The first 100 teachers in attendance will receive a free tote bag filled with over $50 each in products including a special workbook on bullies from Neon Tiki Tribe, gift cards, special offers and deals from national brands and local companies. The purpose for this giveaway is to recognize the hard work of our favorite NEPA teachers.

In addition to teachers being rewarded at the Back to the Books in Style event, the first 500 people at the event will receive a free grocery tote for school supplies or to use at the grocery store throughout the school year to save up to six cents each visit.

The first 500 people will also receive a free folder filled with over $20 in savings.

Visitors to the event will also receive a free Gutzy Gear, which is the perfect accessory to add personality to any backpack, messenger bag, rolling bag or duffel and a great way to send kids back to school in style.

Special coupons will be provided by Stonyfield Farm.

The back to school event is free for the entire family.

For more information on this back to school event, visit www.bucktownbargains.com/back2books.