RUMFORD – Rumford Public Library’s 32nd annual summer fest program is ready to begin. Over the past 31 years, thousands of youngsters have taken part in the library’s summer fest activities and reading programs.

Ginny Todd, children’s librarian, invites area children and their friends to take part in the variety of activities that will be offered during the four-week daily schedule, which will begin on Monday, July 7, and continue through Friday, Aug. 1.

The program is free and will feature special guests who will bring an hour of fun-filled activity. Programs will include magic, crafts, singing, Picnic in the Park story times, theatrical productions and a pet show.

Several of the daily activities complement this year’s summer reading program, “Catch the Reading Bug” theme, such as visits from a local master bee keeper and a bug enthusiast from the Butterfly and Insect Museum in Lisbon Falls, and picnics in the park and craft programs with buggy themes.

Each Friday will feature the noontime Picnic in the Park, when children will bring their lunches and picnic blankets on the back lawn of the library while listening to the day’s storyteller. In the event of inclement weather, picnics will be moved into the library’s public room.

Unless otherwise noted, all other summer fest programs will be at 3 p.m. and last approximately an hour. Parents and other caregivers are welcome at all the programs and are encouraged to attend with younger children.

The first week of summer fest will begin on Monday, July 7, with Carroll’s Bug Magic Show. On Tuesday, kids will make a variety of bug crafts.

Rob White the snakeman will visit the library on Wednesday, bringing his ball pythons and other pet snakes. He will talk about their habits, as well as myths and facts about the reptiles. There will be an opportunity for youngsters to meet some of the snakes up close and personal.

On Thursday, July 10, Louanne Thibodeau and some of the GRCC gymnasts she coaches will be at the library for “Tumbling Fun.” Thibodeau will have the gymnasts demonstrate their warm-up stretches and some of the basic gymnastic skills. Then the gymnasts will put those skills together into tumbling passes they might perform in a competition, before turning the mats over to the youngsters and helping them learn how to perform the basic moves.

The first Picnic in the Park at noontime will be held Friday, July 11, with Meroby Elementary School library media specialist Barbara Hammond as guest storyteller. Her theme will be “Ants at the Picnic.”

The summer reading program, “Catch the Reading Bug,” is offered as part of the fest to encourage reading for enjoyment and to help children maintain and enhance their reading skills and vocabulary during the school vacation.

The program is designed not only for children who are independent readers, but also for pre-readers and emerging readers. The program, which began June 30, will continue through Saturday, July 26. Children can join at any time.

Summer reading packets with full details about the reading program and the summer fest schedule of events are available in the children’s room.