[milliga9]

There is a law in Michigan about starting school after the Labor Day holiday. One of the reason's not all schools started this last year is because of teacher contracts and school calenders that were set in place before the law was passed. Schools are to honor the contracts until they expire - after that they have to push back the start date. For example, last year my district started August 25th, next year we won't start until September 4th.

My only comment about doing an off season event in late August would be that teachers usually have professional development in the couple of weeks leading up to the start of school and its a pretty crazy time. Mid-August might be a better time.