Families are invited to a morning of reading-themed fun this Saturday as the Storybook Picnic returns with activities, entertainment, and resources to promote early childhood literacy.
The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Moreland Park, where children are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters and take part in a variety of activities, including face painting, balloon art, bubbles, and a magician. Character appearances from Magical Memories will provide photo opportunities for attendees.
Snacks will be available, and representatives from Owensboro and Daviess County preschools will be on site to share information about their programs. Each child will receive a free book and have the opportunity to sign up for a program that delivers a free book by mail each month for children from birth to age five.
The event is designed to raise awareness for the Imagination Library of Daviess County, which distributes more than 3,400 books each month to local children at no cost to families. The program is part of the international Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, launched through the Dollywood Foundation in Tennessee.
“The Storybook Picnic is a magical morning for those who come to meet the characters and enjoy fun activities,” said Diane Bowers, a local Imagination Library volunteer. “It’s also an excellent way for our local Imagination Library program to encourage a love of reading for children and their entire family, and to register children to receive the free books if they are not already participating.”
Organizers said the event has been held at Moreland Park since the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was moved outdoors. The location has remained popular with families due to its proximity to the playground, allowing attendees to extend their visit beyond the scheduled activities.
The Imagination Library program provides high-quality, age-appropriate books selected by a panel through the Dollywood Foundation. Families interested in enrolling can register online through the program’s website.
