RUMFORD – The Rumford Public Library’s Summer Fest 2005 program is getting into high gear with this year’s four-week schedule of events. The theme of the 29th annual summer program is “Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds.” Daily events begin on Tuesday, July 5, and continue through July 29.

Ginny Todd, children’s librarian, invites area children and their friends to participate in the variety of activities that will be offered during the program.

Summer Fest is free and includes story times, crafts, Picnics in the Park, theatrical productions and other educational, fun activities. Each Friday will feature noontime “Picnics in the Park,” when children are asked to bring their bag lunches and picnic blankets and join in the fun. In the event of inclement weather, picnics will be held in the Public Room. All other Summer Fest programs are at 3 p.m. and last approximately one hour.

Parents are welcome at all the programs and are encouraged to attend with younger children.

The first week of Summer Fest 2005 begins at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, with a visit from Sgt. Tracy Higley and/or patrolman Matthew Noyes of the Rumford Police Department. They will talk with the children about what a police officer does and share ways for children to stay safe, whether at home, in a car, out playing with their friends, or on their bikes. Most importantly, they want children to know that they are their friends, someone they can turn to when they need assistance.

New this year is a pet show for youngsters. On Wednesday, July 6, children are invited to bring their pet in to the library’s first ever pet show. Children between the ages of 3 and 15 can bring in one pet each, which must be on a leash or in a carrier. To insure the comfort and safety of all, children with pets must be accompanied by an adult.

Please arrive at 2:45 to register your pet. Library staff members are looking forward to being judges for this special event. All entrants will receive recognition. In fairness to all of the furry pets who will be attending, no stuffed animals allowed.

Dancing is featured on Thursday, July 7, when Allison Roy comes to Summer Fest with her “Let’s Dance!” program. This is her second year as a Summer Fest presenter, after attending the program many years as a youngster herself. In addition to taking dance classes for the past six years, the Dirigo High School junior is also involved with tennis, cheering and soccer. Since her favorite style of dance is jazz, Roy has choreographed and put to music a dance routine using some basic jazz steps, which she will help the youngsters learn.

Friday, July 8, will feature the first noontime Picnic in the Park when children’s singer/songwriter Rick Charette will be special guest. He will read his newest book “I Love Mud” and sing a few of his songs for picnickers, followed by time for children to talk with Rick and perhaps get their picture taken with him. Rick will bring books, CD’s, etc., for purchase. Don’t forget your cameras!

A summer reading program, “Dragons, Dreams, and Daring Deeds,” is offered as part of Summer Fest 2005 to encourage independent reading, and to help children maintain or enhance their reading skills and vocabulary during the school vacation. This program is designed not only for children who are independent readers, but also for children who have books read to them by parents, grandparents, siblings and caregivers.

The reading program continues through July 23. Children interested in the summer reading program can get further information about the program and the reading incentives by picking up a weekly reading log in the Children’s Room.

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