Back-to-school Festival Started by Former Dallas ISD Teacher Expects to Draw Thousands to Oak Cliff's Glendale Park

With Dallas ISD set to start on Monday, a former DISD teacher and his non-profit organization are working to make sure more than 2,000 students are ready to go on the first day of classes.For Oak Cliff, a non-profit started by former Bushman Elementary teacher Taylor Toynes, will host its fifth annual For Oak Cliff Back To School festival on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Glendale Park, 1515 E. Ledbetter Dr.On a first-come, first-served basis, students will get a backpack loaded with school supplies and be able to participate in an onsite college fair, while adults will be able to register to vote and participate in a job fair. Free food will be sponsored by Williams Chicken, and there will be games, a carnival and bounce houses.Last year, the festival had over 5,000 attendees, and made headlines when one of the most recognizable names in hip-hop, J. Cole, stopped by to greet students and fans.“We hope to do the same this year and for years to come,” said Xavier Henderson, For Oak Cliff’s director of strategy. Toynes said earlier this year that he wants the back-to-school festival to be known as a music festival -- not just a place to pick up school supplies.To that end, the festival has consistently hosted live performances from local artists.This year is no different. Around 20 different acts will perform on the stage, starting at 9 a.m. and running until the festival’s close at 2 p.m. Up-and-coming Dallas rapper T.Y.E. is scheduled to perform around 11:30 a.m., while Young Nino -- of “Oak Cliff, That’s My Hood” fame -- will perform around 1 p.m.  Continue reading...