As the new school year approaches, many incoming and returning students are looking forward to seeing their friends again and being back in the classroom.

To-be kindergartener James Whipper, however, is most excited to use his new crayons that he picked up from El Mariachi at the first-ever Main Street Stroll on Sunday, Aug. 20.

Elementary and middle school-aged students walked through Main Street and collected school supplies for the upcoming academic year.

Gone Country Creamery handed out free ice cream while other businesses gave away pencils, erasers, scissors and more.

Participating businesses included El Mariachi, Grey Witches Gallery, Village Beauty Collections, Wareham Land Trust, Gone Country Creamery, Jack Conway, Minervas Pizzeria and the Wareham Fire Department.

“We are so excited – it has been so awesome,” said Dave Glass, who supplied students with earbuds at Grey Witches Gallery.

Jared Chadwick, Select Board clerk, explained that the idea for the stroll for school supplies came from Town Administrator Derek Sullivan. The town sponsored the event and paid for the educational materials.

In a statement given to participating families, Town Administrator Derek Sullivan wrote to the students, “You are our future and we appreciate all your efforts … we hope that these supplies help this to be a great and successful year.”

“We want to make it an annual event – make it bigger and better for next year,” said Chadwick.