WCSO prepared to make a splash in DeFuniak Springs

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. ( WMBB ) – A Walton County tradition that signals the start of the school year returns for another year on Saturday, July 27th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wee Care Park in DeFuniak Springs.

The annual Walton County Sheriff’s Office Back-to-School Splash Bash is free for all interested.

Food, inflatable water slides, bouncy houses, and 700 backpacks full of school supplies will be handed out at no cost.

This event is very important and helpful not only for kids and parents but school resource deputies, who use the event to connect with the students they’ll be spending the upcoming year with.

“We want them to know that we’re there for them,” said WCSO School Resource Deputy Tony Bianco. “We are a resource for those students and let them know that it’s easy to talk to us, that we’re approachable, and that we’re just regular people like them. That helps foster relationships throughout the school year and lets them know that they can come to us with anything they need.”

Other agencies like Walton County Fire Rescue, Eglin Air Force Base, and Florida Highway Patrol will also be in attendance at Saturday’s gathering.

If the weather is an issue on Saturday the sheriff’s office will postpone this year’s splash bash to Saturday, August 3rd, at the same time and same place.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.