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Adventure Awaits: River City Readers Summer Kickoff

River City Readers Summer Kickoff Event FlyerSaturday
June 8, 2024
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Ed Austin Regional Park
11751 McCormick Rd. - 32225


Join Mayor Donna Deegan, the Jacksonville Public Library, and a host of literacy advocates and exhibitors for the Adventure Awaits: River City Readers Summer Kickoff at Ed Austin Regional Park on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
 
Mayor Deegan will discuss River City Readers, distribute books and backpacks, and meet and greet attendees. Other activities will include:
  • FREE books and backpacks
  • Storytime Tent
  • Bounce House
  • Face Painting
  • Balloon Artists
  • Glitter Tattoos
  • Food Trucks (including Kona Ice and Honeydrippers)
  • Readings and Meet & Greets with Children's Book Authors
  • Beanstack Sign-Up
  • JTA Cooling Bus
Participants are closing in on the River City Readers goal of reading one million minutes citywide by the end of the year through the Beanstack app. The purpose of the summer reading kickoff is to keep kids excited and motivated to read over the summer and continue to close the literacy gap in Duval County.

Special Guests

Mayor Deegan, City of Jacksonville
City Councilman Ken Amaro, Jacksonville City Council
Hello, Mr. Joe, Jacksonville-based Children’s Author
Jaxson de Villle, the Roar and the D-Line from the Jacksonville Jaguars
PBS Kids Characters from WJCT Public Media

Event Schedule

Storytime Tent

Main Stage

9 a.m. - Bobbi Simmons
10 a.m. - Ms. Jasmine the Book Fairy
10:30 a.m. - Heather Duke
11 a.m. -  PeTika Tave
11:30 a.m. - Heather Marie 
9:30 a.m. – Mayor Donna Deegan
9:45 a.m. – Hello, Mr. Joe
10:15 a.m. - Jacksonville Jaguars Roar and Drumline
DJ until close
 
RCR Summer Kickoff Event Program RCR Summer Kickoff Event Map

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors and community collaborators for their support of Mayor Donna Deegan's River City Readers literacy initiative.

Florida Blue logo  Ameris Bank Logo  PNC logo  Jaguars Community Impact Logo  wjct logo
Jacksonville Public Library logo  Read USA Logo  Read Jax Logo  Kids Hope Alliance  Duval County Public Schools Logo       

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