by Erica Duffy
Adams County Public Libraries are a vital part of our community’s learning network. FunFest is our free event that celebrates the kick-off into SummerQuest, the ACLS summer learning program. We encourage children and families to attend FunFest to learn more about SummerQuest. The program provides children the opportunity to experience everything the library has to offer through leisure reading, virtual programs, and participation in a variety of activities.
All six of the ACLS branches will be there with a booth and a fun activity. Stop by and say hi to your favorite librarians and find out what programs will be offered at each branch.
And, there is more- food! This year we welcome back Mr. Y’s Shaved Ice truck, the PA Dairyman’s Association’s milkshake truck, and Kiwanis will return to sell hot dogs, pretzels, and more again this year!
Everyone loved getting their faces painted and the balloon-shaped animals so much last year. We are excited to share that Adventures in Fun will be there and ready to go! The library will have our interactive and very fun .5k race again, so be prepared to be active! Everyone will have an opportunity to check out the motorcycles and members of the Painted Horse Brotherhood. We also welcome back the Gettysburg Fire Truck and police cars!
There will be several very special guests walking around! You may have seen him around your local libraries and schools, Buckley, the Bank’s Kids Savings Mascot, will join us again this year! He will be there to meet you at the ACNB booth. ACNB is proud to participate as a Major Event Sponsor for the second year in a row. We are grateful and hope you will say thank you when you stop in at an ACNB Branch.
You may have heard of “Elephant and Piggie” and “Frog and Toad” from their book series and visits to the library. The characters will be at the Thunderbolt Association’s tent and also mingling around for photo opportunities. The Thunderbolt organization will also have special story times throughout the event and a schedule will be available at FunFest. This year, Trinity UCC will have goats to encourage the importance of kindness and friendship withal creatures!
We invite community organizations and businesses to host a vendor booth at the event. Last year 40 vendors participated, and we would like to add more this year! Each booth will provide a free craft or activity for children to celebrate this year’s SummerQuest theme, “All Together Now: Kindness/Friendship/Unity.” We hope that you will visit each booth to learn more about what resources are available to you and your family.
You may also be familiar with Heather Laughman and her award-winning all-female DJ company, HD Entertainment. One of the best parts of FunFest is getting out there and dancing to the music! We look forward to having her join us this year!
FunFest is a great opportunity to gain exposure for your business/organization as a vendor or a sponsor. We had over 3,000 attendees in 2022 and hope to see even more participants this year! Are you interested in sharing with our community the wonderful support you offer? Contact Erica Duffy at ericd@adamslibrary.org or 717-809-9190.
Erica Duffys is Development Director for the Adams County Library System
