FAIRFIELD - The second annual Back to School parade and festival is Friday.

The event begins with a parade that leaves West Elementary School at 7:30 p.m., ending at Village Green. The parade features more than 40 units led by the Fairfield Senior High School marching band. Fairfield Mayor Erick Cook will serve as grand marshal.

At the Village Green, parent volunteer groups from city schools and private schools will sponsor booths where parents can sign up or get free hot dogs, drinks, baked goods or candy.

Children will receive bookmarks, pencils and other giveaways. The event will end with a 9 p.m. showing of The Princess Diaries, sponsored by the Fairfield Fire Department.

The event is being paid for through grants and donations.

Lakota bus schedule online

LIBERTY TWP. - Bus information for public- and private-school students who live in the Lakota Schools' boundaries is available online at www.lakotaonline.com.

Using their child's identification number, parents will be able to get information about the time and location of bus stops. Information is also posted at each Lakota school for those without Internet access.

Call or stop by the Lakota Central Office, 755-5821, or 5572 Princeton Road, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for information.

James new athletic director

SPRINGBORO - Daniel "Chip" James, a Springboro High School graduate and basketball standout, has been named athletic director for Ridgeville Christian Schools.

James was co-captain of the 1998 and 1999 Springboro High basketball teams that finished with 20-0 records. He holds a bachelor's degree from Miami University and volunteers with the junior and senior high school ministries at South Brook Christian Church in Centerville, Ohio.

Butler kids to get supplies

More than 1,200 Butler County children will get school supplies thanks to a public/private partnership involving county commissioners, county agencies, churches and businesses.

Book bags loaded with school supplies will be given to children of low-income families. Bags will be given out from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Friday at Hamilton's Fourth Street Park.

In Middletown, distribution is set for 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Middletown Community Center. Bags will be distributed in Oxford during a Back-to-School Festival at the Oxford Family Resource Center, 5445 College Corner Pike, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday.

Information: 867-1995 or 868-9300.

The events are sponsored by Butler County commissioners and the Department of Job and Family Services.

Kings selling spirit wear

DEERFIELD TWP. - The Kings Athletic Booster Club will host a Knights spirit-wear sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Kings Spirit Wear Store in the back of the Kings Education Center, 1797 King Ave.

Shoppers can choose from hats, zip-up hoodies, T-shirts, pants and shorts in both adult and youth sizes. The Spirit Wear Store will open for regular business hours Sept. 13. Merchandise is also available online www.ourspiritshop.com/kings

Mason carwash Saturday

MASON - The Mason High School Student Government is holding a carwash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Mason-Montgomery Road Gold Star Chili. Donations are welcome and would fund student government projects.

Sue Kiesewetter

E-mail items to suek@infionline.net or fax to 755-4150.