These are the things eligible for Texas' tax-free weekend

Texas and some other states have a tax-free weekend before the start of the school year. >>>See the items that qualify for tax-free status. Texas and some other states have a tax-free weekend before the start of the school year. >>>See the items that qualify for tax-free status. Photo: Billy Calzada /San Antonio Express-News Photo: Billy Calzada /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 81 Caption Close These are the things eligible for Texas' tax-free weekend 1 / 81 Back to Gallery

The Texas sales tax holiday begins Friday, bringing a bonanza for retailers, savings for parents doing back-to-school shopping and meager consolation for schoolchildren facing the end of summer break.

The holiday, which runs Friday to Aug. 9, waives sales taxes on an assortment of school supplies and some clothing, as long as they cost less than $100. Texas shoppers are expected to save $87 million in state and local sales taxes, according to the state comptroller’s office.

Local retailers said they expect high grades for this year’s tax holiday weekend, which they said ranks next to Black Friday in volume of consumer spending. Even restaurants and stores that don’t sell school supplies hope to benefit from the consumer onslaught.

“They’re going to offer sales that benefit the moms and dads, too,” said Dustin Christensen, who serves as marketing manager of North Star Mall and The Shops at La Cantera. “Everybody’s going to benefit.”

See the slideshow above for items that are eligible to be purchased tax free this weekend.

Read more about the promotions some stores are offering this weekend at ExpressNews.com.

rwebner@express-news.net