DPS Fest 2023

A celebration of all things DPS for students, educators, families, and the community.

Para información en español oprima aquí!

Not sure where to go? Find the red striped tent so you can start the fun or someone with a blue DPS Foundation T-Shirt!

The Durham community is celebrating the new school year with DPS Fest, presented by DPS Foundation. Join us at Durham Central Park on Sunday August 20 from 3pm-7pm.

DPS families, come and enjoy games, food, door prizes, bounce houses, and performances; make a self-care kit to start your school year off right; dunk your principal to earn money for your school; and learn about DPS and community resources that will help you this school year.

DPS staff, we have a special lounge area for you — come relax and connect. Parents and caregivers, we have a special activity for you, can you say massage chairs? 

We’ll end by enjoying a huge birthday cake celebrating 5 years since community members first came together to launch DPS Foundation. 

The first 300 people to sign up get a food truck voucher. Come early, and stay late (for cake of course!) 

#DPSFest2023 #DurhamPublic SchoolFoundation #DPSFTurns5

Come for the whole time or just part of the day, the joy is nonstop!

Tickets not required. See you soon!

Festival Map

Festival Schedule

Learn More About The Event!

  • These items will take place during the course of the full event:

    • Obstacle Course

    • Bounce House

    • Carnival Games

    • Yard Games

    • Talk with Co-Located Mental Health Services

    • Talk with Social Emotional Learning curriculum hosts

    • Photo Booth

    • Slime Making

    • Chair Massages

    • Face Painting

    • Teacher’s Lounge

    • Meditation Hut

    And so much more …

    • Chair Massages

    • Wellness Tent

    • Wellness Scavenger Hunt

    • Slime Making

    • Care Kit Making

    • Interactive Art Pieces

    • Social Emotional Learning Tables

    • Coloring Station

    • Co-Located Mental Health Services Tables

    • More Love Letters

    • Laugh Therapy

  • Meet the principals who will be getting dunked for a special treat for their schools.

    • Principal 1 @ 3:30: Ronnie Geter - Pearsontown Elementary School.

    • Principal 2 @ 4 PM: James Hopkins - Lyons Farm Elementary School

    • Principal 3 @ 4:30: Sarah Sanchez - Lucas Middle School

    • Principal 4 @ 5:30: Victoria Lunetta Creamer- Creekside Elementary School

    • Principal 5 @ 6 PM: Jackaline Teel - Eastway Elementary

    • Principal 6 @ 6:30 PM: Dr. Cory Hogans - Little River Pk-8

    • Southern School of Energy and Sustainability & Hillside High School Drumlines Unite

    • Bouncing Bulldogs

    • Harvey Hinton for Laugh Yoga

    • School Board Members

  • This event is FREE for everyone to attend and the first 300 people eat on us. There are opportunities to purchase items such as some food trucks and vendors!

  • Yes! We will be providing FREE Food for the first 300 attendees. Folks following that will be able to purchase food from the food trucks. Here is the list of food trucks that will be available:

    • Stuffyman's Vegan Stuff

    • Friendly TACOS

    • 3 Boys

    • Ama' Geez

    • Don Taco

    • Jolly's Catering and Events

    • Lil's Cheesesteaks

    • Lornett's Southern Kitchen

    • Party in a Pita

    • Smokiin Mac

    • Jolly's Catering and Events

    • Magnificent Concessions

  • There is street parking available along Foster Street. You can park in the lot on Foster Street and on Corporation Street or at the Old Ballpark. You can park at the Measurement lot above the market, as well.

  • There will be DPSF information tables at the start of the pavilion and on foster street to answer nay questions you have. There will also be folks around the event in shirts that say “Ask Me” so you know who to aska question to.

  • Yes! This is a space for you to engage with community, art, and wellness. Take a load off! There will also be some seating throughout the event.

  • If you have any questions you can reach out to info@bullcityschools.org and we will be happy to help!

  • Yes! We will have a tent of medical volunteers that can support you with any minor cuts, heats exhaustion, or dehydration. Major injuries will need to be transported to the hospital.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Photo Release Disclaimer

Attendance at this event hereby grants permission to the Durham Public School Foundation to use photographs and/or video of my participation at the event taken on August 20th at Durham Central Park in publications, news releases, online, and in other communications related to the mission of Durham Public School Foundation.