On Sunday, March 8, the NSU Alvin Sherman Library will put on its eighth annual StoryFest. Taking place from 11-4 p.m., StoryFest engages young readers in the world of reading by providing entertaining interactions and visuals to bring reading to a whole other level.
Meagan Albright, the youth services librarian in the Alvin Sherman Library, described StoryFest as a “magical celebration of books” and explained how StoryFest has grown from its old name SuessFest, with under 1,000 attendees, to StoryFest with 4,000-5,000 attendees. Students can even get involved and volunteer for the event through Sign Up Genius.
StoryFest will not only be held inside the Alvin Sherman Library, but there will also be activities taking place in the library quad as well as in both the Miniaci Theatre and Carl Desantis building. Children will be able to take photos and interact with a variety of characters at the character meet and greet with storybook characters such as Cinderella and Puss In Boots. A variety of performers will also be in attendance as well as the Fairytale Dragon and Alvin Sherman’s own mascot, Sharkey.
The library will also hold performances where stories will be told through either singalongs or shows. The engaging music and visuals will bring stories to life and allow children to not only understand the story but feel engaged with the story. These methods of storytelling can “encourage a lifelong love of literacy and can advance academic development with all of the singing and talking,” said Albright. Albright also explained that “singing and storytelling will be bilingual.”
Participants can take a walk over to Fellow’s Way for some more adventures. In the Desantis building, the “Emerald City Face Painters” will paint children’s faces, transforming them into their favorite storybook characters. There is also a case that needs to be solved in the Miniaci Theatre. Many famous storybook characters’ belongings have gone missing and children can go watch the show to help save these lost parts of the stories before it is too late.
Need a rest? In the library quad, vendors will be selling food and drinks to keep people feeling refreshed and energized. While participants relax, there will be a main stage where bands and organizations will keep kids singing and dancing the day away.
Albright said she is very excited for Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, “A grammy winning singer that uses a family hip hop style.”
Photo: S. Elvis
