RUMFORD — Area young people are invited to “Fizz, Boom, Read!” during the Summer Reading Program at the Rumford Public Library. The program is open to children of all reading abilities, from preschool through age 14.

Reading during the summer months helps children maintain and enhance their reading and comprehension skills and their vocabulary. As well, younger children develop a positive, enthusiastic attitude towards learning to read when they are read to regularly.

Again this year, several area businesses and the Portland Sea Dogs are working together with the Rumford 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 will have four weeks, from Sunday, June 29, through Saturday, July 26, to meet their reading goals. Each week that a reader meets the appropriate goal, s/he will receive coupons for Subway and Pizza Hut as well as other reading incentives. Those reading all four weeks will receive coupons from The Big Adventure in Bethel and Frosty Delight in Mexico.

The Summer Reading Awards Celebration for those who participate in the reading program will take place on Wednesday, July 30, following the library’s afternoon program.

All readers picking up information packets will receive a voucher good for a free ticket to a Portland Sea Dogs game. Vouchers this year can be used on any of the dates that have been designated as a Sea Dogs Summer Reading Program game date, subject to availability. Last year all the games sold out early, so we advise ordering tickets as soon as the reader receives the voucher.

More information and the reading logs for recording reading time are available at the library. The schedule of events for the library’s Summer Fest activity programs, which will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesdays, July 2 through July 30, is also available in the Children’s Room and at the main desk.

The Summer Fest programs are free of charge, and feature special guests who bring an hour of fun-filled activity to the children.

Bitsy Ionta, “Mr. I the Science Guy,” will bring his love of science to the library on July 2.

On July 9 the guest will be Jim Nutting from the Butterfly and Insect Museum.

“Snakes Alive!” will be the theme on July 16, when the guest will be Rob “Snakeman” White.

Chewonki Natural Traveling History Programs will present “Birds of Prey” on July 23.

Martin Swinger, a guitar player and songwriter, will perform at the awards celebration on July 30. Reading rewards will be presented to those who took part in the program, followed by refreshments.