Knuckleheads Barbershop to Host Second Annual Back-to-School Bash

Knuckleheads Barbershop to Host

Second Annual Back-to-School Bash

Lavenna Stambaugh

The Ashland Beacon

Knuckleheads Barbershop will host its second annual Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Flatwoods City Park. The free community event will feature activities for children, free backpacks filled with school supplies for every student in attendance, and a fun afternoon designed to help families prepare for the upcoming school year.

Owners Bucky Hensley Jr. and Kiley Hensley, who own Knuckleheads Barbershop and Relic Beauty, started the event as a way to give back to the community that welcomed them and supported their business. What began as a small effort to help local families has grown into an annual event that continues to expand with the support of local businesses, sponsors, and community members.

"We wanted to find a way to give back to the community that welcomed us and helped us grow. As parents ourselves, we understand how quickly back-to-school costs can add up for families," Kiley said.

The Hensleys said they wanted to create more than just a school supply giveaway. Their goal was to bring families together for an afternoon of fun while also easing some of the financial burden that often comes with preparing children for a new school year. By combining entertainment, school supplies, and community involvement, the event has become an opportunity for families to celebrate the end of summer while getting ready for the first day of school.

What began as a simple school supply giveaway at the barbershop has continued to grow each year. Last year's inaugural Back-to-School Bash brought together local businesses and vendors while providing 276 backpacks filled with school supplies to area children. The strong community response encouraged organizers to expand the event for its second year.

This year's event is expected to be even larger, with organizers planning to distribute 500 backpacks filled with school supplies. In addition to the backpacks, students will receive coupons for $10 haircuts at Relic Beauty to help them start the school year feeling their best. Children must be present to receive a backpack and haircut coupon.

Families attending the event can also enjoy a variety of free activities throughout the afternoon. Jump Street Inflatables will provide free inflatable attractions for children, while Characters Galore will bring Spider-Man for meet-and-greets and offer free face painting. Local food trucks will be on-site with a variety of food available for purchase, and live music will provide entertainment throughout the event.

Returning from last year's Back-to-School Bash, Howard's Garden Patch and Farm will once again provide free fresh produce to every family in attendance. The addition of fresh produce reflects the event's commitment to supporting families in multiple ways while encouraging community connections.

The overall goal of the Back-to-School Bash is to provide a free, fun, and family-friendly event that wraps up the summer on a positive note while helping every child head back to school with confidence and the supplies they need to succeed.

The continued generosity of the Hensleys, local businesses, community members, and sponsors—including Restoration Rx—helps make the backpack giveaway and family activities possible each year. Their support allows the event to continue growing and ensures that hundreds of local children can benefit from the resources provided.

Community members who would like to support the effort can donate school supplies by dropping off items at Knuckleheads Barbershop, located at 1570 Diederich Blvd. in Russell. Donations will help organizers ensure that every child attending the event leaves with the school supplies they need for a successful start to the new school year.