The Children’s Trust Family Expo made its return to the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition grounds on August 2 - and families came out in force to enjoy it. More than 5,200 parents, caregivers, and children attended this year’s event, showcasing the Expo’s role as one of Miami-Dade’s most impactful and beloved summer back-to-school traditions.

The Expo offered a one-stop shop for families to gear up for the new school year, with everything from free backpacks and school supplies to health screenings and information from over 100 programs and community services. While parents connected with providers offering after-school care, disability services, nutrition guidance, and more, kids enjoyed a fun-filled atmosphere complete with face painting, balloon artists, games, and a stage with live performances and character shows.

“The Family Expo is more than a back-to-school event; it connects parents and families to everything their children need to thrive,” said James R. Haj, president & CEO of The Children’s Trust. “By bringing health services and program offerings together in one place, we're transforming back-to-school preparation into a simpler, more comprehensive one-stop experience for families.”

This year’s Expo marked the first full return to the fairgrounds since before COVID-19 forced changes to the event format. Indoors and out, children, youth, and their families took advantage of the free resources and activities. The Jessie Trice Mobile Unit provided health screenings, while the Florida Department of Health’s “Seals on Wheels” offered dental services and the Miami-Dade County Library Bookmobile brought attendees a world of literary delights. Food trucks also were stationed outside to provide dining options for expo-goers.

For the third year, The Trust partnered with Uber to offer discounted ride-sharing for families in need of transportation, eliminating one of the biggest barriers to attendance. The event was made possible through the generous support of Gold Sponsors EdFed Credit Union, UHealth Jackson Children’s Care, and Nicklaus Children's Hospital; as well as Silver Sponsors Baptist Health, The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald, and Uber.

Over the course of the summer, The Trust distributed more than 6,200 backpacks at its Family Expo and Pop-Up Expo events, including two earlier events at Liberty City’s Charles Hadley Park and at the River Cities Back-to-School Resource Fair in Miami Springs.

For photos of the Family Expo, click here.