Harrisburg park and library to offer plenty of summer activities
Long summer days, with the kids out of school and hours of sunshine, can be spent productively thanks to the efforts of the Harrisburg Park District and the Harrisburg Public Library.
This summer, the park district and library will host plenty of activities for kids and adults alike looking to stay productive and beat the heat.
Harrisburg Public Library
This summer's library programs will offer events throughout the summer for adults, teens and kids alike, and library Director Ruth Miller says the library is open to everyone, everyday.
"We have the computers, and plenty of comfortable places to sit and read, and stay cool," Miller said.
Summer Reading Program
Children, teens and adults will all be able to participate in the library's Summer Reading Program, which encourages intellectual stimulation through the warm and lazy summer months. The kickoff event for the program, which lasts throughout the summer, is on Friday, June 5 for teens and adults and on Wednesday, June 10 for children. Participants win prizes by simply reading for two hours per week or by completing challenges.
Book Clubs
Several reading clubs will meet throughout the summer, including a Shakespeare Reading Group, a Discover Reading group for kids, the Brown Bags and Books club, the Lit on the Rocks Club and the Lit Café club. Ryan Nelson hosts the Shakespeare group, which gives readers an opportunity to discover the famed author in a group setting. The Discover Reading group, hosted by children's librarian Kae McCue, is aimed at keeping kids sharp so they're reading for going back to school in the fall. Each month, the Brown Bags and Books club meets over snacks and refreshments to discuss and review a book of the month. The Lit on the Rocks Club is the book club for adults. Members meet once a month at a local restaurant to discuss the book of the month. The Lit Café club mixes reading and music, and meets up once a month for discussion and coffee.
Weekly events
The library will host plenty of weekly events this summer, including Parents and Children Together (PACT) every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the library. The meeting includes activities for parents and their children, including informational parenting sessions and educational programs. Every Wednesday from 11 to 11:45 a.m., story time is also a fun event for parents and kids.
Special events
Special events at the library in June include:
n Library Teens Book Sale Fundraiser on Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to noon. All funds raised go toward teen programs and activities at the library.
n Arts, Crafts and Fabrics on Saturday June 6 and 20 from 3 to 5 p.m., where attendees will have the chance to learn about knitting on the loom. No age limit, all experience levels welcome, no materials required.
n The Summer Reading Program Petting Zoo will take place at the library on Wednesday, June 17 from 10 to 11 a.m.
n Genealogy Work Day on Saturday, June 27 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. A genealogy librarian will be present to help with research.
n Teen Summer Reading Program Dance Party and Share a Book, Share a Bite on Thursday, June 11 from noon to 2 p.m. for an afternoon of book discussion and dancing.
Be sure to check the library's website at www.harrisburglibrary.org for updates, or, for more information on summer programs, contact the library at (618) 253-7455 or stop by to pick up a brochure at 2 W. Walnut St.
Harrisburg Township Park District
From aquatic activities to fitness classes and athletics, the park district offers something for anyone hoping to stay active this summer. Here is a collection of what the park has in store for the season. For a brochure with all the details, stop by the park district's office at 921 W. Poplar St. or call (618) 252-2111.
The Bill Trees Memorial Park Pool
The pool is a great place for kids and adults alike to beat the heat and enjoy the sun, says pool Manager Melonie Motsinger.
"We want everyone to come out and have a great time at the pool," the manager said.
The pool will be open from Tuesday, June 2 until Saturday, August 1, Monday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 per person, or a 10-punch pass for $25.
On Friday, July 10, Farmer's State Bank will host a "Christmas in July" event at the pool. For regular admission, pool-goers can enjoy food, prizes and giveaways. Santa Claus will be handing out gifts to kids. Last year, more than 100 presents were handed out throughout the day, said the pool manager.
Group and private swim lessons for kids and adults alike will also be available, and are important to learning how to be safe in the water, Motsinger said, "I think everybody needs to learn how to swim. You have to be able to save yourself if, God forbid, you get into a situation."
Group swim lessons at the park will take place at the pool from June 8 through July 23 for ages 4 through 7 and 8 and up. Private swim lessons will be available from June 1 through July 31.
Early morning swim from 6 to 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday is also available for adults ages 18 and up. Early morning swim fee for the season is $85. This summer's Water Arobics classes, including Aqua Zumba, Aqua Calisthenics and Shallow Water Fitness, will last from June 1 through August 1, Monday through Saturday. The cost per class is $5, $130 for all classes, $112 for all morning classes or $45 for all evening classes. D.J. Duncan will instruct all Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes, and Morgan Douglas will instruct all Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday classes.
For more information and details about pool activities, pick up a park brochure at the park district's office at 921 W. Poplar St. or call the pool office at (618) 252-7512.
Friday Night Movies
Once again, the Bill Trees Memorial Park Pool will host movie nights on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy a family-friendly movie while playing in the water or sitting on the deck. Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family. This summer's movies are as follows (movies are subject to change):
June 5: "Chronicles of Naria, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"
June 12: "Frozen"
June 13: "Night at the Museum"
June 26: "Shrek"
June 10: "Jack Frost (Christmas in July)"
July 17: "Jumanji"
July 24: "The Sandlot"
Tennis and Athletics
Tennis classes will be available from June 8 through July 3 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Ken Everett will instruct the classes. There will be classes for 5 to 8-year-olds and for 9 to 11-year olds. Private lessons are also available. The Adult Social Tennis Group will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesdays for games in singles or doubles. For more information on tennis programs, contact Ken Everett at (618) 541-5391.
The high school Lady Bulldog basketball open gym will allow attendees to participate in advanced team and individual fundamentals, scrimmaging and strength training. Attendees will also have access to weight training daily. The open gym is for girls grades 9 through 12, and is available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. starting Thursday, June 4 at the Harrisburg High School gym. There will also be an open gym for middle school basketball and high school volleyball. For more information, contact the park district at (618) 252-2111.
ArborWild!
On June 11 from 9:30 a.m. to noon, the park will host the ArborWild! event at its bandstand. All ages are welcome to participate in a variety of activities including fishing and crafts, and to learn about wildlife, wetlands, cultural history and forest fires, and to see Smokey Bear. Attendees should bring a picnic lunch and be prepared to enjoy the outdoors. Adults must accompany children. For more information, call (618) 253-7114.
Relay for Life
On June 12 from 6 p.m. to midnight, the Saline-Gallatin County Relay for Life event will take place at the park's Amax Shelter. The public is invited to attend, and Relay is always accepting new participants and teams. <span class="s1">For more information or to join the cause, contact Lindsay DuBois at (618) 998-9258.</span>
Fishing Tournament
The park's lagoon will be stocked with tagged catfish for the season's fishing contest. Prizes are awarded based on number of fish caught. The contest begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 6 and will end on Friday, July 10. Participants must have a license to fish. For more information, contact the park district at (618) 252-2111.
Free fishing weekend at park lagoon
During one special weekend from Saturday, June 6 to Monday, June 8, those without a fishing license can fish at the park's lagoon.