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Niagara Falls
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
NOTL library kicks off summer with a bang

 

Although visiting the library is typically an indoor activity, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library hosted an outdoor summer kick-off event in the green space behind the building last Saturday.

Library staff invited families from all over town to bask in the sun, enjoy an abundance of free food and activities and to sign up for the summer reading program.

On Saturday’s, 41 kids signed up for the summer reading program, and 10 had signed up for the program on the Thursday before.

While many activities were set up for the kids from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., adults were able to get in on the action as well. Mark Longster, the executive chef at the Pillar and Post, hosted a cooking demonstration as part of the library’s Fresh from the Garden program.

Saturday’s event was about more than just kicking off summer – it was about showcasing the many activities the library will be hosting and bringing the community together, said Debbie Krause, community engagement co-ordinator for the library.

There were freezies and free cotton candy, a bouncy castle was set up for jumping and the Reptile Kingdom brought out chameleons, turtles and snakes.

Captain Underpants made a few brief appearances throughout the afternoon as well.

Kasia Dupuis, the children’s library services associate, said she would call the afternoon a success, adding that everyone seemed to be really enjoying themselves.

Singer/songwriter from Burlington, Nicole Henderson, spent a couple hours walking around the grounds serenading the crowd.

Dupuis said she and the library staff want to thank everyone who came out to the Summer Kick Off Party.

“From the bouncy house to the Reptile Kingdom display, from the barbecue and Makery activities to the Fresh from the Garden presentation, it was an amazing day. We want to send a big thank you to all of the library and Town staff who helped make the day a success,” she said in an email.

She added that the libary had a great response to the Summer Reading Program.

“Over 50 summer readers have registered so far! If you missed the party but still want to register for the Summer Reading Program, we’ve opened up registration on the library website for our Read for Beads program,” Dupuis said.

The summer reading program will be open for registration at the library all summer. Check out the website for the different activities and programming offered for kids this year.

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