2023 First Day Festival

First Day Festival is a celebration of the start of the new school year. Held each year since 2003 on the first or second Sunday in August, the First Day Festival provides families with information on resources and services available, free school supplies, free fresh food from the Lowcountry Food Bank, and free admission to the SC Aquarium! The goal of the Festival is to help children get excited and equipped to start the school year off right. FDF 2023 will be held on Sunday, August 13, at the Gaillard Center and SC Aquarium!

School Supply Drive
Every August, thousands of students attend the First Day Festival not only to celebrate education, but also to receive school supplies for the new school year. By holding a School Supply Drive, we are able to collect donations of school supplies to ensure that these students have the materials they need to begin the new school year.

Most Requested Supplies

Pencils & erasers
Composition books
Markers
Crayons
Scissors
2- pocket folders
Colored pencils
Index cards
Glue/Glue sticks

School Supply Drop Off Sites
MON-FRI 8:30am-5:30pm

DOWNTOWN
75 Calhoun St.- City of Charleston
Arthur Christopher Community Center
St. Julian Devine Community Center
823 Meeting St.- Recreation Main Office

WEST ASHLEY/ JAMES ISLAND
James Island Recreation Center
Bees Landing Recreation Center

NORTH CHARLESTON/ DANIEL ISLAND
Daniel Island Recreation Center

Drop Off Deadline: August 10th at 12pm