Magicians, musicians, storytellers and street performers will gather at Lee and Gordon's Mills on Saturday to encourage children to read.
"Every single moment is going to be full of activity," said Chelsea Kovalevskiy, children's specialist coordinator for the Cherokee Regional Library system. "There's going to be craft tables, a water pingpong table and a storyteller."
Ms. Kovalevskiy, who works at the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library, is one of several library officials hosting the system's summer reading club called "Make a Splash -- Read!"
The Cherokee Regional Library system includes libraries in LaFayette, Rossville, Trenton and Chickamauga. However, the "Make a Splash -- Read" theme is shared by libraries nationwide.
Ms. Kovalevskiy said summer reading programs help children maintain reading skills over summer vacation. They especially are important to elementary school students who just started reading the previous school year, she said.
IF YOU GOWhat: "Make a Splash -- Read!" Cherokee Regional Library system summer reading programWhen: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. SaturdayWhere: Lee and Gordon's Mills, 71 Red Belt Road, Chickamauga. Rain location is the Walker County Civic Center Agricultural Building in Rock Spring.SATURDAY LINEUP* Carmen Agra Deedy, nationally known storyteller and author, will tell stories at 11 a.m.* Paul Vogler, a teacher at UTC and Georgia Perimeter College, will perform on the steel drum at noon* Ken Scott, who has been voted Greater Atlanta Entertainer of the Year, will do a magic show at 1 p.m.
More than 250 children ages 2 to 18 are expected to sign up for the reading program this year. Each year the number of participants increases, said children's specialist Brandy Wyatt, who coordinated the reading program at the Rossville Public Library.
Those who complete the program will receive a certificate, and their names will go into a drawing for tickets to locations such as Ruby Falls and Dollywood. The top reader in each age category will receive $50, Ms. Wyatt said.
Toddlers may participate in the program by having people read to them, she said.
"This is great fun for everybody," Ms. Wyatt said.
Saturday's entertainment includes nationally known author and storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy, who is known for her Latin-based narratives; magician Ken Scott, voted Greater Atlanta Entertainer of the Year; and Paul Vogler, a local musician who teaches at UTC and at Georgia Perimeter College.
The event also will include the North Georgia Animal League's story dog Dave and a real dog.
Red Robin will be in costume, and musical instruments will be available for young people to play.