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February 19, 2009

JLGL Fourth Annual World of Reading Festival

The Junior League of Greater Lakeland (JLGL) will hold its Fourth Annual World of Reading Festival at Barnett Park by the Lake Mirror Promenade in downtown Lakeland on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free to the general public and provides an opportunity for children to learn through participation.

Upon arrival, each child will receive a passport. The attendees will then visit five countries and take part in an arts and crafts activity related to that particular region of the world. As the children exit each country, their passports will be stamped. After receiving all five stamps, the children will select a free Scholastic book to take home.

Last year, more than 650 children attended, and the JLGL anticipates a crowd of 800 children this year. In addition, the JLGL is excited to announce a guest performance by popular children’s singer/songwriter Jack Hartmann who will take the stage at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

“We are thrilled to have children’s musical sensation Jack Hartmann join us this year,” JLGL President Stacey McLaughlin said. “His music is educational and research-based, and equally important, kids love him!”

Other participants include the Lakeland Police Department, Lakeland Fire Department, Boys & Girls Club, Learning Resource Center , Huntington Learning Center , Success by Six and Parkland Puppets. Throughout the day, attendees will experience guest readers and performances, as well as inflatable activities for entertainment.

Families and children of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Kimberly Cassidy at 863-370-0054 or visit the JLGL Web site at http://www.jlgl.com.

The Junior League of Greater Lakeland, Inc. strives to enhance child welfare and education in the greater Lakeland area by promoting the basic skills necessary for school readiness and family literacy through Signature Projects. JLGL members actively reach more than 10,000 families through organizing fun literacy events, reading to preschool children and supporting elementary school literacy efforts.

Posted by Emerge Lakeland at February 19, 2009 08:46 PM

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