Afternoon of Reading, Music, and Fun for Kids & Families Hosted at Mission Oaks Gardens

ZANESVILLE, Oh – The Muskingum County LIteracy Council, along with the Muskingum County Parks District hosted Performing Arts in The Parks Sunday Afternoon.

Despite the heat and humidity, kids and families were able to explore several activities throughout Mission Oaks Gardens. 

From read-alongs and free books to a musical area and even an art table where kids were able to decorate their own bookmarks, there was plenty of fun to be had!

Muskingum County Literacy Liaison Cindy Lawyer says this event helps highlight the importance of early literacy.

“Literacy is an important skill to have in education. And early literacy just makes that foundation even stronger. So once they get to school, being able to read and identify  even how to read a book. But we share a variety of different things with literacy, the importance of looking at the pictures. The importance of, you know, thinking about what’s going to happen next and predicting,” she explained.

Kids were able to listen to stories read by Lawyer and even read along with her, as well as explore and play different musical instruments and walk around a fairy garden and play in the children’s garden!

Lawyer says this was a great way to get kids outside while keeping them learning. 

“I think the idea of being able to get out, enjoy nature, as well as hearing a good read-aloud and enjoying it and then being able to take a book home, whether they read it themselves again or share it with someone else they know,” she said.

Lawyer says they have been blessed to have been able to put on this event and they plan to do another read-along event in August!

She also adds that they are grateful to the Muskingum County Library System, as well as the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and encourages everyone to check out the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.