Area children participating in library summer reading program events in Red Bay and Russellville have a wide range of activities keeping them busy this summer – from magicians, to animal education, learning about big trucks and more, sometimes with ice cream or other treats.

At the Russellville Public Library, children have also been having fun while learning through a variety of activities. “What a magical day!” said RPL director Joshlyn Bowen, about the June 21 event including children’s magician, Russell Davis, of Huntsville. “Russell put on three magic shows — ‘The Magic of Reading,’ and a total of 140 children attended. It is such a beautiful experience for me personally to witness the joy and laughter on the children’s faces,” she added.

Bowen said the June 28 Touch-a-Truck event at RPL was a “huge success,” noting her thanks for the Russellville Street Department (Shannon Wilson), Russellville Police, Russellville Fire and the Russellville Electric departments.

“The children got to learn about each vehicle at the event and even got to climb inside most of them,” Bowen continued. “The Russellville Fire Department gave each child a toy fireman’s hat, pencils and Sparky the Firedog activity sheets, and all registered children received a Sub-Zero Shaved Ice. Our next event will be our Reading with Dogs event July 12. Registration for this event will open July 8 at 10:30 a.m. “Thank you Pilgrim’s of Russellville for sponsoring our Summer Reading Program 2024 Adventure Begins at your Library.”

“We are really happy with the response received with the program this year,” said Northwest Regional Library assistant director, Autumn Sizemore. (Weatherford Public Library in Red Bay is a member library.) “We’ve had two years in a row of amazing growth and support from the community. We can’t wait to see how that continues next year!”