Ward 8 families can grab free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts and shoes on Sunday, Aug. 23, one day before DC Public Schools students head back to class.

Building Bridges Across the River is hosting its annual Beyond the Stars Back-to-School Festival at THEARC, the 16.5-acre nonprofit campus at 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The numbers are substantial. Scott Kratz, president and CEO of Building Bridges Across the River, posted on LinkedIn that organizers plan to distribute 2,000 backpacks with supplies, 700 pairs of shoes and station 33 barbers on-site for free haircuts. Hair braiding will also be available.

Beyond the giveaways, the festival includes live music, food and drinks, games, a small business market featuring Southeast D.C. vendors and community resource tables, according to MidCity DC News.

"Beyond the Stars represents what our organization is all about — bringing people together, investing in families and creating pathways to opportunity," Kratz said in a statement.

DCPS students in kindergarten through 12th grade return Monday, Aug. 24, according to a back-to-school checklist released by Mayor Muriel Bowser's office. Pre-K students start Thursday, Aug. 27.

The festival is one of several back-to-school resource events targeting Ward 8 families this month. A Bellevue Library Back-to-School Bash earlier in August also distributed backpacks and offered free haircuts and braids, DC News Now reported.

THEARC, home to 15 nonprofits including several schools, serves 60,000 people annually and is the base for Building Bridges Across the River, which has operated in Ward 8 since 1997.

Supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is available through Eventbrite.