For the second year in a row, the Levittown Public Library will be kicking off our summer reading programs with a jam-packed, prize-filled outdoor festival! This year’s event will take place on Saturday, June 11th, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Levittown Veterans Memorial Park, in front of the library. Last year, we were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of our community and the generosity of the many companies, vendors, organizations, and individuals who donated raffle prizes and other items to help make our first Kick-Off Festival such a success. We are thrilled to take that experience and build upon it. Our goal, which we have been working hard to achieve, is to create an afternoon that offers something for all of our patrons (and their families, friends, coworkers, etc…all are welcome!). As you can see below, each reading program has a slightly different theme, and Festival events and activities will correspond appropriately:
Adult: Exercise Your Mind. Read!
Teen: Get in the Game: Read
Children’s: On Your Mark, Get Set…Read!
Summer is the “Season of the Reader” (my own unofficial term). Road trips, airplane rides, beach days, park visits, air conditioned evenings…These are all things that go perfectly with a good book. And since we’re going to be reading anyway, we should all join a summer reading club and earn some cool prizes along the way. And why not join on the day of our big Summer Reading Kick-Off Outdoor Festival, when registrants will be entered into a free raffle prize drawing to be held at various times during the Festival?
A big THANK YOU to the many generous donors who have provided gift baskets, restaurant gift cards, amusement park and museum passes, and more. In addition to the summer reading program registrations and raffle prize drawings, we will have continuous activities throughout the afternoon to keep you busy. Let’s be clear: This will be a fun kind of busy, not housework-busy or homework-busy, but the kind of easygoing busy we should all enjoy on a Saturday in June. If you’re looking to be entertained, you can enjoy a Magic & Illusion Show with Scott Interrante at 1:30 p.m. A little earlier in the afternoon at 11:30 a.m., we have the band County Line performing some great country music, complete with a little Line Dancing. Like last year, we will also have an Author Garden for book signing and discussions, in addition to separate crafting areas for adults and children (teens may participate in any of the crafts). Crafts will include making pins, bracelets, photo frames, and more. I’ve seen the samples made by my coworkers, and these crafts will have you thinking creatively and making beautiful and unique something (or somethings).
Wait! There’s more! Given that the overall theme of this year’s Summer Reading is Sports, we will offer plenty of games and activities that will get you and your family moving: Inflatable basketball, baseball, and football games; miniature golf; kerplunk, and more. We will also have a mobile gaming van on site to satisfy that video game craving. Lastly, to help make your summer a safe one, the KPTC Service Leadership Committee will be on-site to teach summer safety, including helmet and swim safety. For more information on the day’s activities, please see our newsletter and event flyer.
I came across a quote from a 19th century novel, The Red and the Black (I’ve never heard of it, much less read it), and it reminded me of the idea behind the creation of our Summer Reading Kick-Off Outdoor Festival: “A good book is an event in my life.” We are trying to turn reading into an event, as it should be: a fun event, with food, games, and entertainment. We’re expecting a great day! Hope to see you there!
Happy Reading,
Jess
