Ninth Annual Plant the Seed to Read Children’s Book Festival held April 18

The ninth annual Plant the Seed to Read Children’s Book Festival will be held Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens. This annual event is presented by Altrusa International, Youngstown Chapter; Western Reserve Public Media; the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County; and Mill Creek MetroParks. Admission is free.

Plant the Seed to Read is a family-friendly event that brings together authors, illustrators, storytellers and hands-on activities for children to promote literacy in the Mahoning Valley. The theme of this year’s Children’s Book Festival is “Soar into Reading.” Special guests include Sandra Phillipson and her two certified therapy dogs, author/illustrator Betsy Snyder, storyteller Candace Miller and actor/storyteller Tim Hartman. The Akron Children’s Hospital Air Bear Helicopter will land at approximately 10:30 a.m., (weather permitting) and be available for photos. Local children’s musical group ‘Hey Kid!’ will perform at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Learn about rescued birds from Birds in Flight Sanctuary.

Children can also visit the Western Reserve PBS booth area to meet and pose for photos with Peg + Cat (please bring cameras/smartphones for photos). Characters will be appearing from 10-10:30 a.m., 11-11:30 a.m., 12-12:30 p.m., 1-1:30 p.m. and 2-2:30 p.m. Students from Chaney VPA and Ballet Western will perform in the interim. Strollers are not permitted inside the building during this event – stroller parking will be available. Sign language interpreting will also be available.