Community event brings families together while helping Sevier County students start the school year with confidence.

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (SMOKIES.LIVE) — As families prepare for a new school year, Tanger Outlets Sevierville is helping make sure every child has the supplies and clothing they need to walk into the classroom with confidence.

The shopping destination hosted its third annual Back to School Bash, bringing together community partners, local organizations and families for a day of activities while continuing a month-long clothing drive benefiting children in the Sevier County school system.

“We love this event each year,” said Allie French, marketing director for Tanger Sevierville. “It really brings in lots of our community partners and allows us to give back to the community.”

The free event featured a touch-a-truck experience with local police and fire departments, appearances from community partners including Dollywood and Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, along with activities such as face painting and photos with Jesse and Woody from Toy Story.

The event also served as a major collection point for Tanger’s clothing drive, which provides new clothing items to students who may need extra support before returning to school.

French said the donations are especially important for families facing financial challenges.

“There are over 500 kids in our school system that are labeled either in a poverty or homeless state,” French said. “These are the kids that you might not realize play ball with your kids, go to school with your kids, go to church with your kids, and you’re interacting with every day.”

The donated clothing will be provided to the Sevier County School System, which will distribute items to students who need additional assistance.

Tanger Sevierville will continue accepting clothing donations through the end of the month, including during Tennessee’s tax-free weekend shopping period. Additional donation drop-off locations include Quaker Steak & Lube and Y-12 in Sevierville, along with the Tanger Sevierville mall office.

French said the timing gives families an opportunity to help others while also taking advantage of back-to-school savings.

“This way when kids go back to school, they have something nice, they have something new, they’re not worried about what they’re wearing, and they can really focus on learning,” French said.

The Back to School Bash also highlighted recent changes at Tanger Sevierville, following an 18-month renovation project that wrapped up earlier this year. The center has added new event spaces and new stores, with additional openings expected, including Abercrombie and Hollister.

For Tanger Sevierville, the event represents more than a shopping opportunity — it’s a chance to support local students and strengthen the community ahead of another school year.