Austin is about to celebrate one of its largest after-school programs.

The YMCA of Austin after-school program will sponsor a Lights On Afterschool rally from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The rally will be one of more than an expected 8,000 events around the nation that day for the annual rally organized by the Afterschool Alliance.

The event highlights the importance of after-school opportunities so that every child who needs a program has access to one. The benefits of after-school programs, including inspiring children to learn, include keeping them safe in the afternoon hours and relieving working families of worries about their children’s activities in the afternoon.

Participants in the Lights On Afterschool rally include an opening ceremony at 4 p.m. with the Austin High School Drumline. The event will also feature a nature program from the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, Skippy’s mascot, a hot air balloon display, a bounce house, and light bulb decorations with Austin Utilities. This event is free and open to the public.

The YMCA of Austin after school program opened in 1990. It now serves more than 100 children, providing homework assistance, mentoring, tutoring, fitness and health inspired activities

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children have access to quality after-school programs. More information on Lights On Afterschool is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.