A storybook beginning for children and books
BY ALLIE CASTRO Contributing writer
What better way to kick off Dr. Seuss' birthday week than with fiction, film, food and free family fun?
On Sunday, the Bakersfield Elementary Teacher's association will be hosting the fifth annual Read Across Bakersfield Celebration, an event that attracted more than 1,000 attendees last year and is the first of the week's celebratory activities.
Related Info
Fifth annual Read Across Bakersfield events
When: Block party 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday; activities and movie to follow inside the Fox Theater.
Read 2 Children events, 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Beale Library, Wilson Library, Barnes & Noble, Russo's Books and MLK Jr. Center.
Where: Fox Theater, 2001 H St.
Admission: Free, but ticket required for activities and movie inside the Fox Theater. Tickets available at the Fox Theater and BETA Office, 837 H St.
Information: 327-4567 or email michellejohnsonnow@yahoo.com
The free event kicks off outside the Fox Theater at a block party that includes inflatable jump houses, a petting zoo, face painting, temporary tattoos, food taste tests, live music and a book walk.
"All of the kids will have the opportunity to get a lot of fun free stuff," said BETA's second vice president and Read Across Bakersfield chairman Michelle Johnson.
Ticketholders then move inside for a special dance performance by beloved Dr. Seuss characters Thing 1 and Thing 2 and book readings by Leticia Perez and Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall. The day's events will conclude with a showing of the movie "Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer."
The celebration continues on Wednesday with the 15th annual Read 2 Children Day. BETA teachers and volunteers will be hosting storytelling events from 4 to 5 p.m. at Beale Memorial Library, Wilson Library, Barnes & Noble, Russo's Books and the MLK Jr. Center.
"Read Across Bakersfield is so important because a lot of our families in Kern County don't have the opportunity to spend quality family time together," Johnson said.
"If you want to go to movies or go out with your family, it's very costly, and with the times we have right now ... some people are not in the financial situation to be able to do so. This is the teachers association's way of giving back to community, and celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday, literacy and learning."
While the block party is open to the public, tickets are necessary for the activities inside the Fox Theater. Tickets are available at the BETA office and the Fox Theater.
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