In + Around St. Louis

Heroes, Fun, and Community: A Look Back at Our 5th Annual Back-to-School Bash

August 26, 2025

An Unforgettable Night with Our Heroes

Over 200 people came together at Chicken N Pickle in St. Charles for a summer send-off filled with laughter, connection, and play. Our indoor space buzzed with face painting, photobooth fun, and family-friendly dining, while the covered pavilion kept the pickleball and bocce games going strong alongside our amazing STL businesses.

Outside, families enjoyed balloon twisting, complimentary hairstyles, witnessed magic, and more hands-on fun. Kids of all ages played yard games, stretched out in yoga sessions, and danced with our incredible DJ, superheroes, and princesses.

Our local STL businesses went above and beyond—offering amazing crafts, interactive experiences, and engaging with our children in such a sweet, personal way.

Thanks to our generous sponsors who helped bring this event to life, it was a day our families—and especially our kids—will never forget. What a wonderful way to send off our little ones, from babies to big kids, into a brand-new school year!

We’re sending a huge thank-you to Jerry Kelly Heating, Cooling & Electrical and Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for being this year’s title co-sponsors! ????

From fun tattoos and cool hats to big smiles and friendly chats, the kids loved every moment with the amazing team.

Monarch Pediatrics brought big smiles with their fun interactions and awesome giveaways, while Barron Swim School added to the excitement with their energetic team, ducks, and plenty of purple balloons.

Missouri History Museum got everyone playing with their bocce ball activity, and Right At School inspired creativity with their hero mask-making craft.

Our event wouldn’t have been the same without Laren Loveless Music, our incredible DJ and musician. Rain and wind couldn’t stop him—he kept the families dancing, singing, and laughing with interactive activities, character fun, and even inspiring dads to show off their moves. A true modern-day Mr. Rogers with a beat.

Balloon n Bash set the scene with themed balloon columns and a gorgeous backdrop for families to capture the perfect photo, while Top Hat Entertainment Saint Louis wowed little ones with adorable balloon characters and a fun, engaging personality.

Faces by Rachael delighted kids with face painting they proudly showed off all day, while Fête Booth brought goofy fun and sweet family moments with props, photo strips, and even video options.

Tee Styles offered complimentary hairstyles for all hair types, making kids feel extra special, while Playful Poses led multiple outdoor yoga sessions that brought a calming break during the storm—literally.

Dream Time Princess kept the magic alive with Tiana, Spider-Man, Captain America, and Rapunzel—bringing joy to every child they met. They danced, sang, took photos, and led countless interactive activities that made the day unforgettable. Capturing every magical moment was our wonderful photographer, Amber from Sargent Photography, whose talent, attention to detail, and warm presence made everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera. Thanks to Amber, we now have beautiful memories to look back on for years to come.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this event possible—our sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and the incredible families who joined us. We are so grateful for each of you and the joy you brought to the day. Your energy, support, and smiles are what make events like this truly special.

We can’t wait to create something magical together again next year!