Lil Baby and his nonprofit The Jones Project hosted their fifth annual Back to School Fest over the weekend, welcoming more than 4,000 families to West End Production Park for a day of fun.
The Production Park was transformed on Saturday into a massive festival space, with the event providing thousands of students with free school supplies and uniforms. Done in collaboration with The Jessie Rose Project, The Athlete’s Foot, Slim & Huskies, Fanatics, Dr. Bombay Ice Cream and Zaxby’s, Lil Baby stopped by the event to hang with the kids and take a few selfies.
Among the festivities, which attracted kids of all ages from kindergarten through 12th grade, were carnival rides, games, a bounce house, face painting and on-site haircuts and braiding services. Attendees also enjoyed food from Zaxby’s, Slim & Husky’s Pizza and Dr. Bombay Ice Cream. A number of city leaders stopped by to show their support, including Atlanta City Council members Andrea Boone, Michael J. Bonds and Marci Overstreet, as well as Eshe Collins, the civil rights attorney and board member of the Atlanta Board of Education.
“It means a lot to be able to come back and give back, because I know so much comes behind not having shoes and school utensils and stuff for school — because that be a lot of kids’ reason to steer off,” Baby told The Atlanta Voice.
Lil Baby first launched the initiative back in 2021, with the goal of providing for and uplifting youth and families in his hometown.
“Lil Baby, Dominique, keep doing what you are doing — we love you for that,” Yolanda Hill, a parent in attendance, told The Atlanta Voice. “A lot of artists just throw money and don’t really come to these types of events, but he came and actually stayed and showed face.”