BURRILLVILLE – Become the pieces of a giant Candyland game this week on the Riverwalk in Harrisville, at a fun three-day kick-off to Jesse Smith Memorial Library’s summer reading program.
The library invites kids and families to check out the giant board game on Thursday, June 24 from 4 to 6 p.m.; Friday June 25 from 10 a.m. to noon; and Saturday, June 26 from 10 a.m. to noon.
The event will serve as a kick-off to the library’s summer programs, including a reading challenge for all ages dubbed, “Tails and Tales.” Children, teens and adults are invited to register online to participate at jmslibrary.beanstack.org starting on Thursday to begin tracking their reading time.
Kids who complete at least 12 hours by Saturday, Aug. 7 will receive a mystery bag of prizes and a free book, and teens will be entered into a prize drawing, with winners to be drawn the week of August 9. The tween program will end with a finale event, “Llamas and Ice Pops,” on the Riverwalk behind the library on Thursday, August 5 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Adults who log the required hours will receive a tote bag.
It is one of several programs offered at Jesse Smith this summer. Children are also invited to take part in Wednesday morning storytimes from June 30 – Aug. 4 starting at 10 a.m. On Tuesdays, the library will host, “Get Up & Shake,” a music and movement program for kids 5 and under from 10-10:30 a.m. Both programs will take place at the pavilion outside the library, weather permitting, and drop-ins are welcome, with no registration required.
Registration is required for Painting along the Riverwalk for kids, to be held Saturday, July 3 from 10-11 a.m., and PAW Control, a STEM program for kids ages 6-10 beginning Friday, July 9. Additional programs and events for kids include Animal Bingo, Grab & Go Crafts, a Mini-Wrecking Ball Challenge, Scales & Tales Storytime and more.
Jesse Smith will also offer crafts for teens this summer, outdoor games and a Tech Explorer program. Adult crafts will be offered on select Saturdays, and library patrons age 17 and up are also invited to play outdoor games at the library on Thursdays July 15 and 29 from 6-7:30 p.m.
The complete schedule of summer events and activities can be found here.
It all kicks off on Thursday, June 24 at 4 p.m. with the fun, life-sized game on the Riverwalk, and guests are invited to drop by anytime during the three-day schedule, as long as weather allows.
The statewide Rhode Island Summer Reading Program is supported by the RI Office of Library and Information Services, with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Support for the 2021 program is also provided by the Friends of the Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library.
