Forest Park

The Daily Plant : Thursday, June 21, 2007

Strawberry Festival Sweetened Highland Park

Margaret Carrillo-Rosas

Children bounced around in a strawberry shortcake bounce house, crawled through an inflatable caterpillar, played games, made crafts and spun around on a strawberry ride. Inquisitive children challenged themselves to a strawberry trivia activity and participated in a strawberry plant workshop where they re-potted the plants to take home. For the musically inclined, Savannah Sky played country western tunes and offered instruction in line dancing. The Bond Street Theatre joined the festivities with their stilt-walking band.

The Brooklyn Public Library provided live entertainment by The Mariachi Academy of New York and Bubbles the Clown. Children could apply for a library card, visit the library’s mobile van, receive a balloon creation, have their faces painted or make a kite.

After enjoying an afternoon of strawberry sno-cones and cotton candy, the event culminated with a strawberry-eating contest. Children were eager to smear their faces in whipped cream at a chance to win a combination DVD/VCR player.

Festivities kicked off on June 7 for the 7th annual Read-a-thon at the Lawrence Linekin Children’s Playground in Forest Park. Children of all ages enjoyed games, music, a stiltwalker, storytelling, arts and crafts and received a free book.

The annual Read-a-thon event began as a way to promote literacy and education to the community in a fun and exciting way. By engaging children through shows, storytelling and hands on projects, children gain a positive experience of reading and other learning processes.

Continuing to be a great success, the 7th annual Read-a-thon had a myriad of activities with over 1,000 people in attendance. Children were able to participate in making book worm bookmarks, activities with the Museum of Natural History mobile museum and the Urban Park Rangers. Children were also encouraged to use their athletic skills by playing basketball, jump rope and hockey.

The festivities culminated with storytelling and a visit from the NY Islanders mascot Sparky and Officer McGruff from the NYPD. All of the children also received a free, age-appropriate book so they were able to take the Read-a-thon experience home.

Know Before You Go

Forest Park Visitor Center