Wisner Park Book Fest moved to First Arena

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – In a Facebook post on Saturday morning, the Family Reading Partnership of Chemung Valley announced its “2024 Book Fest” will be held in the main rink at First Arena, instead of Wisner Park. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The announcement came amid cloudy skies and rain in the forecast.

On Friday, 18 News spoke with Michelle Halperin, the Chair of the Book Fest and the Vice-President of the “Family Reading Partnership of Chemung Valley. “Tomorrow is pretty much a celebration of books,” said Michelle Halperin, . “When families come, one of the first things they’ll get to do is check in and children will be able to select a free book which fits our theme, which is Read. Think. Dream. We’ve got a whole bunch of community organizations that will be presenting all kinds of activities for families and children to do. We also have some entertainment coming which I’m really excited about.”

Halperin says entertainment will include a juggler and a magician named Mr. Nicholas.

“For a lot of children, especially struggling readers, books are not necessarily something they see as a joyful experience,” Halperin said. “One of the things Book Fest allows us to do is really come out, and truly celebrate all of the fun things that books provide for kids and encourage families to read together. This big celebration is a great reminder to do that.”

For the latest updates on the 2024 Book Fest, visit the Facebook page of the “ Family Reading Partnership of Chemung Valley. “

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