The Ouachita Parish Public Library is hosting the 41st annual Pumpkin Bash at their main branch on North 18th St this Saturday, Oct. 19. The bash is from 10 am - 2 pm and free to the public (no library card needed). A costume contest will start at 12 pm, and there will be prizes for the winners. All other libraries in Ouachita Parish will be closed to help out at the event.
The Pumpkin Bash is a family-fun event that incorporates the joys of reading and going to the library. The day will be filled with exciting activities for children to learn about some of their favorite book characters while playing games and having fun.
As the kids go around completing carnival-style games, they will recieve a stamp until they are finished. If they get all of their stamps, the library will donate one free book for the child to take home while supplies last.
There will also be a costume contest that will be judged at 12 pm with a prize for winners and different foods like cotton candy to eat while the family is enjoying the event.
On top of costumes, books, and food, five local authors will be at the Pumpkin Bash, and the children will be able to interact with the very people that created their favorite stories that they read at home. The authors range from teachers to local favorites including: Tassa Avara, Antoinette Clark, Jamie Mayes, Jason Byron Nelson, and Lisa Calhoun.
Danielle Tolbird, communication coordinator for The Ouachita Public Library, is looking forward to the writers being there because, "We love seeing kids interact with authors. So they can see the live breathing people that created these books. We want to show children that being an author is a possible career path."
For more information about Pumpkin Bash or more events at the Ouachita Parish Public Libraries, click here.