HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Saturday’s rainy weather couldn’t dampen the Summer Reading Program Kick-Off Party at the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library. Kids and parents gathered among the bookshelves to play games, color, eat hot dogs and register for this popular annual event.
The six-week program theme this year is “Adventure Begins” and there are a variety of scheduled activities to encourage participants to get involved, including a magic show, a trivia night and science demonstrations, among others. The finale will be a foam party at the library before a raffle for prizes.
There was a steady stream of participants coming in to sign up and get their Adventure Book from the staff. The library had toys and games set up in the media arts area for kids to play life-size games of Connect Four or ring toss, along with confetti-filled balloons and other equipment. For those who wanted a quieter adventure, there was also a coloring area, with many options of pictures to complete and take home. Hot dogs were provided free to patrons by the Hopkinsville Police Department and K-9 officer Bolo even made an appearance, much to the delight of the children.
Elysa Parks, HCCPL’s operations director, said they average around 300 participants every year for this event. “Because it is open to everyone, the entire family can enjoy the reading together,” Parks said.
Brandon Buckner said his kids have been involved with the program for the last three years. He likes that the library puts on the event and encourages reading to the community. “Reading opens up your eyes, and when you can read better, the more open you are to different points of view.”
Nala Weaver says this was the first time she has heard about the program but she loves to read, so she and her three children will be participating. While they were off playing, she and her cousin took advantage of the coloring area.
The Summer Reading program is open to anyone who signs up either at the library or online. Participants receive a reading log to keep track of time spent with a book and for every five hours of reading, you earn a raffle ticket, along with surprise. At the finale, those raffle tickets could win you prizes like plush toys, games, Harry Potter items, or gift certificates to local eateries. Just make sure all the reading logs are turned by 6 p.m. on July 12 at the library.