July 25, 2021, Article Courtesy of the Pickerington Public Library

Celebrate summer’s accomplishments and join Pickerington Public Library, headliner Jim Gill, and more familiar faces at the library’s summer reading finale!

The Summer Reading Finale, slated for August 14 at the Wigwam Event Center (10190 Blacklick Eastern Road), is a celebration of the end of summer reading. Summer reading programs at the library occur annually for all ages in an effort to promote literacy and prevent the “summer slide,” when children forget some of what they learned in school the previous year. Featuring special events, prizes and more, summer reading begins at the end of each school year and ends prior to the following school year.

Finale fun acknowledges summer reading accomplishments with prize pickup, library card signup at the pop-up library, food trucks, snacks and refreshments. Local agencies will also be present, connecting families with services and resources available in Violet Township, Pickerington and Fairfield County.

The event’s lineup also includes featured headliner Jim Gill, author, musician and child development specialist. Gill is known for his ability to engage families and young children with silly songs and favorites including “Silly Dance Contest” and “Jump Up Turn Around!”

“We have been using Jim Gill’s music in our early literacy classes for years, and we’re excited that we get to experience a live performance with him at a unique venue like The Wigwam,” said Dana Folkerts, Pickerington Public Library’s Youth Services Manager.

Gill is a nationally sought after for his high energy shows.

“I write songs that are active musical games……so my concert is filled with opportunities for children, parents and grandparents to clap and dance and play together!” Gill said. “I will be strumming my banjo, but for this concert I have also invited an accordion playing musician (Don Stille) to join me and provide some musical inspiration for everyone.  He is a phenomenal musician!   A few years back he was nominated for a Grammy award in the classical music division!  He loves playing these concerts with me because, as he says, we are not the only ones playing.  Everyone in the audience helps to make the music!”

Other activities include the opportunity for children to touch-a-truck, meeting real-life heroes from Violet Township Fire Department and other emergency services. If the farm is more their speed, Bring the Farm to You is also participating, joined by plenty of farm animal friends from chickens to sheep, rabbits and goats.

“This family friendly event is open to anyone, regardless if you participated in Summer Reading. While the main focus is to celebrate the end of summer reading, the event is also intended to help bring our community back together. The pandemic has affected us all and this is one way we at the Pickerington Public Library can support the recovery of our community.”, Said Director Tony Howard.

For a complete schedule of Summer Reading Finale events or more information about summer reading, visit pickeringtonlibrary.org. The festivities are scheduled to begin 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 14 at the Wigwam Event Center and will continue until 2 p.m. No signup or reservations are required.

See also: The Wigwam Community Gardens to sell produce at library party.