RUMFORD — Rumford Public Library has challenged area children to get on their marks, get set and read!

The Summer Reading Program, Every Hero Has a Story, is open to children of all reading abilities from preschool to age 14.

Summer Fest will celebrate local heroes at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, June 29, to July 27. The programs are free and will feature special guests who bring an hour of fun-filled activity. All area children are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult.

The schedule is:

Mammals of Maine: From Mice to Moose: Wednesday, June 29. Chewonki’s program is an interactive program introducing children to native warm-blooded vertebrates. A collection of skulls, skins and other specimens will show adaptations and the role each animal plays in the food web. This program also provides a living example of a non-releasable wild mammal.

Snakes alive!: Wednesday, July 6. Rob “Snakeman” White will bring his pet snakes, and he will talk about their habits as well as myths and facts about the reptiles. There will be an opportunity for youths to meet some of the snakes up close and personal.

“Mr. I the Science Guy,” Bitsy Ionta: Wednesday, July 13. He will bring his love of science to the library. A well-known local retired teacher with a vast knowledge of scientific wonders, Mr. I makes learning fun and exciting.

Martial Arts: Wednesday, July 20. Mike Hansen, a local martial arts enthusiast, will show some martial arts moves, and participants may join in and try out a few. The focus will be on the importance of self-control, self-confidence and self-defense.

Maine State Game Warden: Wednesday, July 27, Maine State Game Warden Josh Smith will discuss his experiences in the Maine woods. The warden will bring in skins, skeletons and other things that have been found by wardens in the Maine woods.

Again this year, several area businesses and the Portland Sea Dogs are working together with the library to add encouragement through incentives to young readers.

Children are asked to read at least five days per week, for a length of time based upon the child’s age. Pre-readers may be read to by a parent, older sibling, or other caregiver. Participants in the program will have four weeks, from Sunday, June 26, through Saturday, July 24, to meet their reading goals.

The Summer Reading Awards Celebration for those who participate in the reading program will take place on Wednesday, July 27, following Smith’s presentation.

All readers picking up information packets will receive a voucher for a free ticket to a Portland Sea Dogs game. Vouchers can be used on any of the dates that have been designated as a Sea Dogs Summer Reading Program game date, subject to availability.

More information on the summer reading program, as well as the reading logs for recording reading time, is available at the library. The schedule of events for the library’s Summer Fest activity program is also available in the Children’s Room and at the main desk.

The library shelves are filled with books about crafts, hobbies, science, dance, sports, music, and poetry, as well as lots of fiction.