Barbara Blain-Olds’ ambition to accompany the bodies of Conway calm as “a burghal that reads,” has bound taken root.
This year’s additional River Read Festival, appointed from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday at Conway’s Riverfront Park, will accept article for all age groups – literally.
“I am actually animated about it,” said Blain-Olds, an advocate and a Conway burghal councilwoman who founded the festival, which debuted aftermost year. “What started as an acorn became a 100-year-old oak in no time.”
The additional River Read Anniversary should accept mightier address than the first, admitting an estimated 400 bodies abounding aftermost year on a cool, backing day.
More than 500 books will be accustomed abroad to accouchement – one book per child. Adults can participate (donating a book is not required) in a chargeless book exchange.
Local and bounded authors, including Jane Spillane and longtime University of South Carolina English administration affiliate Tom Mack, will speak. Bounded “heroes,” bounded badge and blaze administration personnel, will be amid storytellers account to children.
“Tiara Twins” Acylesaundra and Giavanna, Johnsonville citizenry featured on TLC’s “Toddlers and Tiaras,” will acme winners of a “Happy, Healthy Baby and Kids Contest.” Elementary and aerial academy acceptance will attempt in article and balladry bang contests. Everyone is acceptable to dress up and participate in array of fabulous characters.
Food and alcohol from Sonic Drive-In will be accessible for purchase.
“Getting the Tiara Twins in a huge benefaction for us,” said anniversary arranger Robin Kavanagh. “We accept several attractions for adults and accouchement – there’s article for everybody at the festival.”
Blain-Olds acclaimed that the festival’s timing on “Drop Everything and Read” (DEAR) Day – was serendipitous. The altogether of accepted children’s columnist Beverly Cleary, DEAR Day is accurate by several civic organizations, including Parent Abecedary Association, Civic Education Association and the Newspaper Association of America.
Winners and finalists from 240 essays accounting by acceptance in grades 2 through 5 on the theme, “Reading makes me ..” will be accustomed and awarded prizes.
About 200 of the entries came from Conway’s Kingston Elementary School.
“I anticipate the kids absolutely admired it,” said Kingston arch Dawn Brooks. “We had some absolutely acceptable essays.”
Three of the eight balladry bang contestants are actuality called via YouTube through Wednesday for the finals, and will recite their balladry on the centermost stage. The aboriginal River Read Anniversary featured alone one poet.
Five of the poets are from North Myrtle Beach Aerial School. Seven of the eight are girls.
“This makes balladry air-conditioned again,” said North Myrtle Beach Aerial Academy English abecedary Angela Robinette.
The capital date agenda bliss off at 11 a.m. with a acceptable ceremony, a achievement by the Browns Ferry Elementary Academy bandage and the Happy, Healthy Baby and Kids Contest.
Mack, columnist of “South Carolina Encyclopedia Guide to South Carolina Writers,” will allege at about noon, followed by presentation of the article challenge winners.
Spillane, columnist of the afresh appear book, “My Life with Mickey,” about her adventures with her backward husband, abomination biographer Mickey Spillane, will allege at about 1 p.m., followed by the appearance parade.
The balladry bang finals – board from Coastal Carolina University will actuate the champ – banderole the final hour. A abbreviate River Read Awards commemoration will blanket up the festivities. Kingston Elementary and North Myrtle Beach will be accustomed for their able challenge participation.
Marsha Tennant, columnist of “Margaret, Pirate Queen,” a children’s chance set forth the Carolina coast, and Peter Warren, who afresh completed his third book, “The Horry County Murders,” are amid added speakers.
Blain-Olds said she was aflame about accessory what she hopes will abide as an anniversary event, admitting the date may be afflicted to May for milder weather. And not alone because she gets to dress as the angry queen in “Snow White.”
All books larboard bearding from the barter will go to Horry County articulacy programs. River Read purchased its children’s books from Scholastic Inc. through Bridgewater Academy so the Myrtle Beach allotment academy could use acquirement credibility to get added books through the distributor.
For added advice on the River Read Festival, go to www.riverread.org.
