The fair, in its fourth year and put on for the first time by the newly formed Moniteau County Alliance for Kids, will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 27 at California High School.
The Alliance's Board met Feb. 13 at the Moniteau County Health Center to continue planning efforts and launch the fundraising campaign.
"It's odd to be looking ahead to the 2013-14 school year when we're not even close to the end of this school year, but it takes a lot of planning," said Board President John Agliata.
New for 2013 will be an expanded entertainment area that includes the Jolly Old Elf himself.
"We were happy to be able to get on Santa's schedule. He's got a lot of down time right now," said Board Member Kelly Combs, who arranged for Santa's visit.
Entertainment also is scheduled to include performances by a local drum line and dance squad, rides in Co-Mo Electric Cooperative's bucket trucks and a demonstration by the naturalists at Runge Nature Center.
But the backbone of the fair remains the no-cost medical screenings and school supplies for any child educated in Moniteau County, regardless of family income level.
"That's been our mission since we started in 2010, to provide medical screenings and school supplies so children go back to school free from issues that could hamper their learning," Agliata said.
To help accomplish the mission, the Alliance is seeking donations and volunteers. Donations can be made by sending a check payable to the Moniteau Alliance for Kids to "Back to School Fair," P.O. Box 220, Tipton, MO. 65081. Donations also can be dropped off at Co-Mo Electric Cooperative in Tipton or Central Bank or the Moniteau County Health Center in California.
The Alliance is also having a Volunteer Celebration at 6 p.m. March 25 at the Finke Theatre in California. Anyone interested in volunteering at this year's fair is invited to attend.
"We want to give everyone who attends an update on where the planning stands and see where our volunteers want to help. There's a lot of work still to be done," Agliata said.
Registration forms for the fair will be distributed in Moniteau County schools in the near future. They can also be picked up at Co-Mo Electric, Commerce Bank and Tipton Latham Bank in Tipton and Central Bank and the Moniteau County Health Center in California.
Registration forms need to be returned to the child's school by May 1 or to: P.O. Box 220, Tipton, MO, 65081 by July 1.
Last year's fair served around 300 children and organizers expect a larger crowd this year.