They simply viewed it as a way to engage students and parents with a fun atmosphere before school began.

Back in 2005, South Kitsap School District’s “Back to School Celebration” began with 200 participants at Joe Knowles Field at the high school.

“It’s like a party,” said Gina Glynn, who annually has organized the event with Jonell Ude. “You’re worried about no one coming.”

That hardly is a concern anymore. The event, which is free and scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 20 at Joe Knowles Field, drew more than 5,000 individuals last year.

Both said they still are seeking donations and sponsors to help fund the event, which Glynn said it produced with “limited” funds from SKSD.

“It’s difficult to convince people that we can put on this event with little or no cost to the district,” she said. “But we do.”

Through Tuesday, Ude said SKSD had raised nearly $6,000 in funds. She said that some come through grants, including one from the Kitsap County Commission on Youth and Children, and donations from local businesses and individuals.

Both said they do not have a specific fundraising goal — the amount they have raised already is a record — but they still are soliciting more as those funds are used to purchase school supplies and other material for children.

She said the struggling economy also has had an impact as South Kitsap’s band boosters used to pay for the hot dogs that were distributed at the event.

“But like everyone else, their resources are getting more and more limited,” Glynn said. “Now we’re having to buy more hot dogs.”

Ude said if local businesses cannot afford a monetary donation, they could donate a gift card or supplies. For example, she said the Family Pancake House in Port Orchard donated 1,000 napkins.

“They also have to be family or child centered,” Glynn said. “We’re not going to have Avon or Mary Kay.”

Glynn noted that businesses might be behooved to setup a booth, which is done through an application process with her or Ude, because they can “reach an incredible amount of people in a three-hour period.”

Several sponsors already have lined up, including a group that records facial ticks — an identification used by the FBI — to identify people.

“They have found it is much more specific than even a fingerprint because people peoples facial ticks are specific to them,” Glynn said.

Harrison Medical Center also is offering free immunizations and other organizations provide dental, vision and scoliosis screening.

“We want to emphasis we can’t do this without you,” said Glynn, adding that 140 volunteers, mostly those affiliated with SKSD, already have signed up. “We only have one Walmart and Fred Meyer — and we can only hit them up once.”

In addition, each school will have a booth set up, which Glynn said is popular with families new to SKSD, and there will be a school bus to transport kindergartners around to get them familiar with riding. There also will be fire and police vehicles onsite, a dunk tank and several other activities, food and refreshments.

“It provides those families with the resources they might need to be successful,” Glynn said.

For more information on becoming a sponsor or participating in the Back to School Celebration, contact Glynn at 874-7064 or Ude at 874-7054 or visit www.skitsap.wednet.edu/