Residents from around Newton County converged upon the square in downtown Covington Saturday for the annual Back 2 School Block Party.

Volunteers gave away bags filled with school supplies to more than 500 Newton County students. After a successful school supply drive that lasted up until the middle of the week, Bea Jackson and volunteers from the Washington Street Community Center were able to more than double last year's amount.

More than 20 local organizations and businesses were on hand to hand out information and give away freebies such as pencils, pens, various school supplies and of course water.

Onlookers watched several performances as Paul Casola, pastor at Passion Community Church, put together a blend of several dance performances sprinkled with puppet shows from the volunteers at Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful.

School officially began for teachers on Friday and students report at the end of this week.