There's no shortage of fun to be had at all three locations leading up to June 7

This article is brought to you by the Kokomo Downtown Farmers Market. Get ready for fresh produce, handmade crafts, musical entertainment, and a special visit by the Kokomo Howard County Public Library’s Bookmobile at this Saturday’s market! It all starts at 9 a.m. on June 1. Visit dozens of local vendors, offering wonderful wares, all in one location at the corner of Mulberry and Washington streets until noon. And bring a friend!

The Kokomo Howard County Public Library's south branch has been hopping over the past few weeks, ramping up the fun and activities just in time for the Summer Reading Program, which begins June 7.

The festivities began earlier in May as the library officially dedicated its outdoor Firefly Stage at the south branch, 1755 E. Center Road. And eager gardeners set to work on the library's butterfly garden, welcoming green sprouts and spring flowers.

Despite what seemed like an unending string of rainy days, the library was a ray of sunshine, offering up great events, such as a Senior Resource Fair on May 18. There were organizations on hand to advise on financial matters, healthcare, mental health, emotional support, and much more for the community’s aging population.

And earlier this week, patrons got a sneak peek of the Summer Reading Program through a host of sensory activities designed to tantalize eyes, ears, tongues, noses, and fingers. Kids dove into crafts, expressed themselves through drumming, sampled various sweet, salty, and sour treats, and dug their hands into sand and stones as the reading program’s upcoming features were previewed.

The library shows no signs of slowing down, either. Today, the littlest library patrons can visit the south branch from 10-10:45 a.m. for “Growing Readers.” And the Bookmobile visits the Kokomo Downtown Farmers Market on Sat., June 1, from 9 a.m. until noon.

The library’s main location, 220 N. Union St., and its Russiaville branch, 305 Mesa Dr., will host “Reading with Pet Partners” from 11 a.m. until noon on Saturday. Kids can practice their reading skills by reading to trained therapy animals during the events.

As the Summer Reading Program creeps closer, visitors to the Russiaville branch on Mon., June 3, can attend Pirate Camp, part of the library’s Nature Play Days programming. Kids will experience outdoor play, exploration, and hands-on activities from 10-11 a.m.

And they can return to the Russiaville branch on Tue., June 4, from 2-3 p.m. to help build Russy the Rock Snake with their painted creations. Moms and dads looking for a little early summer respite can stroll over to the Jeff Stout Community Center, 650 N. West St., that evening to join the library in a little Yin Yoga from 6-7:15 p.m.

On the eve of the Summer Reading Program, the Russiaville branch will feature Pumpkin Planting with the help of the Purdue Extension Office. Patrons will learn all they need to know to plant their pumpkin patches on Thu., June 6, from 6-7 p.m.

And for those with an itch to express their artistic talents and maybe dip their toes into the world of Dungeons and Dragons, the main branch will host an evening of miniature painting on Thu., June 6, from 6-7:30 p.m., led by local artist John Brothers.

It all leads up to the main event – the KHCPL Summer Reading Program. Check back with the Kokomo Lantern next week as the frantic fun begins, leading up to the Fri., June 7, launch at the main library. The unveiling runs from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. alongside the Strawberry Festival downtown. Sign up for the program that day or visit www.khcpl.org for more information.