Festival will bring chances to learn
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 25, 2009 2:04 PM
A free event for parents and children is expected to exceed its usual crowd of 2,500, officials at Partnership for Children of Wayne County say.
The Fourth Annual Born Learning Children's Festival is set for Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Herman Park and the Wayne County Public Library.
"Due to the economy, families seem to be looking for fun and free events with free food," said Kim Best, director of community services for the partnership.
Like the Partnership, the family event is tailored especially for younger children, ages birth to 5. It promotes the campaign message that children are "born learning" and parents can use everyday events -- such as sorting laundry or grocery shopping -- as teachable moments.
Funded by United Way of Wayne County, the local arm of the nationwide public awareness campaign is geared to providing tools to help children arrive at school ready to learn and succeed.
In addition to children's activities in the park, the festival will offer three storytelling sessions at the library. One will be led by Selena Smith, local author of "Joey Wants to Know," as well as storybook characters, The Mouse from children's book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," and Froggy from the Penguin Putnam book series. The first 100 children at the first story session will receive wooden train whistles.
Free train rides will also be offered on the Kiwanis miniature train, plus a petting zoo, face painting and moonwalk. There will also be refreshments available, and prize drawings throughout the day.
Educational materials will be available both at the children's festival and the Partnership office on William Street, and will be distributed through physicians' offices, community agencies and other outlets around the county.
For more information on the festival, contact Ms. Best at 735-3371, ext. 242.