The former Unity Day, now called Family Day, will take place and draw hundreds of people to Barry Field (a/k/a/ The Oilies) this coming Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tiara Murphy, president of the Charlestown Residents Alliance (CRA), said they are very excited to move the fun that has existed with Unity Day to the Field where more people will be able to participate in an event for the entire community.
“We got tired of calling it Unity Day because of the way it sounds,” she said. “It sounds like there is no unity and this is why we decided to call it Family Day.”
The celebration will be in collaboration with Boston Center for Youth and Families (BCYF) and the Boston Dream Center.
Activities will include a caricature artist, temporary tattoos, a DJ, food, kids events and some incredible bounce houses.
One of the highlights will be the annual backpack and school supply distribution.
Murphy said they service nearly 500 families for back to school every year with the backpack giveaway, and this year some Charlestown businesses are stepping up big.
Bloominus marijuana dispensary has donated 200 backpacks, and an anonymous donor has donated 360 backpacks. The Boys & Girls Club of Charlestown also has donated backpacks.
The CRA and the Charlestown Mothers Association also used their proceeds to purchase all of the school supplies.
Councilor Lydia Edwards is also providing school supplies, and Attorney General Maura Healey is providing pizza.
“This is a unique thing because we serve so many from Charlestown,” said Murphy. “We are going to serve everyone. We have the largest family day in the city and we serve about 450 to 500 people every year.”
Others who have donated are the Harvard Kent Parents Association, Ed Owen and others.