Library hosts summer fest to kick off seasonal programming

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathmore Municipal Library hosted its second annual Summer Fest, June 13, launching registrations for the summer reading program.

Laura Henderson, assistant director of the library, explained high attendance and registrations were anticipated, as members of the community have been inquiring about the program for the last several months. 

“We thought we might as well turn it into an opportunity to advertise some of the other things going on and just have a big party to celebrate summer and the programming going on through the library and within the community,” she said. “It went from just an event to launch registration into an opportunity to advertise our early literacy programs like Mother Goose in the Park and Ice Cream in the Park, (and) our SAIL programs that run all year.”

Also present at the event, the Wheatland Youth Network, Trellis, and CCIS highlighted the programs they have operating over the course of the summer.

Henderson joked that last year, the team had to make a run for more food due to attendance being much higher than anticipated. This year, they had prepared to host approximately 250 people.

“(We had) more games, we had a face painter come, and someone doing caricatures, so we added a few little fun pieces,” she said. “We were really excited to see how many people came out for registration, but also because we were out in the green space next to the library.”

In contrast to previous years, the library’s summer reading program has brought on four coordinators this time around, being the most it has ever supported. 

The program is designed to be an affordable way for kids and youth to be able to have access to a community throughout the summer between school years, as well as to continue exercising their literature skills. 

“It’s a good way to start getting to connect with people your own age within the summer reading program, and then if you could come on the Fridays, we have different events that are not associated fully with the summer reading program,” said Ben Parkins, summer reading program coordinator. “Our theme this year is ‘Dive In,’ so it is ocean themed and … each week is going to be a different country, and we are going to go over some of the sea creatures in those countries.”

The library is asking $5 per participant for the entirety of the summer reading program. If that is unattainable for some, youth are still invited to participate in free Friday programs. 

Further information regarding the summer reading program is available through the library whether in person or on their website.