The end of summer can be bittersweet, but the Town of Fountain Hills Parks & Recreation is making the transition back to school a little more exciting with the annual Back-to-School Bash.

This free family fun event takes place on Friday, Aug. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Four Peaks Park with entertainment for all ages.

There will be water slides for the little ones as well as a 30-foot slide for those older and bolder. Try the obstacle course and swinging arm of doom where half the fun is getting knocked off your feet.

The event will also feature displays by local law enforcement with Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office’s coolest vehicles and teams, including the Bomb Squad, SWAT and K9 unit with a demonstration as a four-legged deputy takes down a “bad guy.” MCSO is also scheduled to have a helicopter at the event.

The fun doesn’t stop there. Take aim at dunking a favorite school administrator in the infamous FHUSD dunk tank.

In addition, several community partners will have booths and activities for kids. The local partners include MCSO, Fountain Hills Coalition, library, FHUSD PTO, FH Soccer Club, Girl Scouts, Girls on the Run and Hotshot Sports.

Come on out, cool off on a water slide, dunk a principal, and celebrate the kids’ return to school.