‘Read Around the Block’ kicks off summer reading
An animal show will be one attraction at “Read Around the Block,” the kick-off party for Madison Public Library’s summer reading program. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON – A live tortoise, science experiments and fun runs will be part of “Read Around the Block,” Madison Public Library’s kickoff for summer reading.
Open to everyone, the free event on June 4 will run from 8 to 11 a.m. “We expect to have a fantastic event to start an exciting summer,” interim youth services librarian Lisa Blackmon said.
Relay races correlate well with the 2016 theme, “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read!” Led by Hogan Family YMCA employees, warm-ups for fun runs will begin at 8 a.m. Running will start at 8:30 a.m.
Animal Tales, a company founded by a former wildlife biologist and zoo curator, will present, “Nature’s Olympians.” “The up-close and personal show will feature animal athletes, tying in our summer theme,” Blackmon said.
“Some animals you might see are a Bennett’s Wallaby, Green Basilisk, Patagonian Cavy, Carpet Python, an African Spurred Tortoise and Emerald Toucanet,” Blackmon said.
For science experiments, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology employees will attend.
Madison Friends of the Library will serve cake and fruit. Bottled water will be available.
In June, the library’s Mad Scientists program will feature “Slime Time” when children create their own ‘slime.’ Also, Garden Rangers will learn about soil layers and make edible earth parfaits.
Other summer activities will include “Crazy Cat Person Party,” a cat adoption with Madison Animal Rescue Foundation (MARF) with crafts and snacks. Rocket City Rebels, Huntsville’s roller derby league for eight- to 18-year-old girls, will visit. Their coaches are members of the adult squad, Dixie Derby Girls.
A Zumba class for children, also led by Hogan Family YMCA, will be held on June 23 at 4 p.m.
Teenagers will have their own summer calendar of events, such as British Invasion, a masquerade as favorite BBC characters. Other activities will be Coffee House Cabaret, Tween Time and Teen Gaming. Movie times include free popcorn and lemonade.
Madison Public Library’s address is 130 Plaza Blvd. For more information, call 256-461-0046 or visit hmcpl.org.
