Palatine Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Program

The kick-off celebration for Summer Reading at the Palatine Library on Saturday, June 2, was a day full of circus shows, crafts, treats, pie-eating contests, face painting, and games!

The Library is now decorated with food themed areas and a life-size CandyLand game for kids to play with throughout the summer. As an extra treat Mrs. Mint, King Kandy, and Princess Lollipop, of the Paddy Lynn Actors, made a guest appearance and interacted with children as they played.

Bobby Hunt, Circus Boy, performed his comedic, juggling variety show and the Library held their first ever Pie-Eating Contest. This contest was very popular and exciting to watch as patrons competed to slurp down their pie the fastest! Gift cards were awarded to the winners.

Adults and kids alike enjoyed listening to Dave Esau of Dave’s Specialty Foods as he demonstrated chopping techniques with fun and flair. Ann Kagan of Whole Foods, Palatine, discussed organic and natural food choices and Dietician Julie Fulton of Advocate Health Care talked about healthy family meals and low fat eating.

Patrons were surprised and delighted to receive fun give-aways throughout the day and tasty bags of popcorn supplied by Camelia Traistaru, of Signature Sweets.

All District cardholders, ages 2 through adult can still join the Summer Reading Program, “Reading Is So Delicious.” Sign up is easy! Participants can visit www.palatinelibrary.org and manage their own reading progress, or come to any Library location to have staff sign them up and log their progress.

The Summer Reading Program runs through Wednesday, August 15. At completion, participants will receive a grand prize t-shirt, generously donated by the Friends of the Palatine Public Library.