The 11th annual Family Fest, celebrating families and supporting lifelong literacy and learning is coming up on Sunday, Jan. 31.
The event is enjoyed by hundreds of visitors each year and will be held in the Gibraltar Room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We have puppet shows, story-telling, crafts, reading a story with Sir Read A Lot (moose mascot) and much more,” says event organizer Kirsten Stark.
She says every child receives at least one new book and each family receives a reusable Family Fest bag containing literacy related information and activities, so the fun can continue at home.
Sir Read A Lot also encourages families to bring along their old books to swap.
Stark says Family Fest is made possible through the long term support provided by the Early Childhood Development Network and sponsorship from Success by 6, Children First, Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy and Daybreak Rotary.
She says Family Fest encourages literacy as a family activity and helps parents understand their role through demonstrations and play-based learning.
It also helps parents recognize and become actively involved in early literacy related events in their child’s development.
“It helps raise awareness about the importance of literacy and early childhood development,” Stark says.