by Mary Rupert
Three bands, free tacos and free books for kids are just a few of the highlights of the third annual Library in the Park event planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Big 11 Lake, 11th and State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas.
A guest appearance by children’s author Katheryn Russell-Brown has been canceled. The author was to have flown in from Florida, where there is a hurricane, and her flight was canceled because of the weather, said Kim Woolery, Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library spokeswoman.
Woolery said the event still will include a book giveaway of the children’s book, “Little Melba and Her Big Trombone,” by Russell-Brown. Five hundred copies of the book will be given away to children at the event Saturday. The book is about Melba Liston, a Kansas City jazz musician.
In addition, the Kansas City Symphony will bring its musical petting zoo to the event for children to explore musical instruments.
As in past years, the event includes a taco contest, where those attending may sample free tacos from five different taco restaurants and then vote on their favorite, Woolery said. The free tacos will be served starting at 10 a.m. Free bottled water will be provided. Participating taquerias will include Bonito Michoacan, Carniceria la Siete, Don Antonio’s, El Jefe’s and Ninfa’s.
Library in the Park also will be providing frozen custard from Sheridan’s.
Other attractions will include a balloon artist and face painter. “Everything is free – all activities, tacos, all free,” Woolery said.
Bands that are scheduled to perform include AY Musik, the master of ceremonies; The Project H, La Mafia Nortena and The Phantastics.
New this year to the festival is a big tent that will have on display the best movies, music and television shows that the library staff recommends, she said.
The most interesting aspect of the festival is that people will be able to do a lot of things, she said.
The mobile library will be stationed at the festival, and people will be able to check out books, access the computers and internet, sign up for library cards, talk about the library’s online products and ecommunity, use their library cards and stream movies on their phones and audio books, Woolery said.
The purpose of the festival is to reach out to the community.
“It’s just for us to get our services out into the community and let the community know what we do, and give them another experience,” Woolery said, “and sign up for a library card and check out items. It’s a way for us to celebrate the library and community.”
Woolery urged residents to come out to the park and enjoy the music and nice weather.
Dash KCK and the 5k run will be held prior to the Library in the Park event. The Dash KCK starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with the Downtown Shareholders as sponsors, Woolery said. It is based at the nearby JFK Community Center, which has recently changed its name to the Beatrice Lee Community Center, at 1310 N. 10th St. (10th and State Avenue).
For more information, see libraryinthepark.org.
