Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Local children need to gallop – if not run - to the Bradford Area Public Library for this year’s Kids’ Derby Day on Saturday. The annual event, set to run from 1 to 3 p.m., is an afternoon devoted to everything Derby-related. This event is part of the Triple Crown of events surrounding the running of the Kentucky Derby. “We are very excited to host the Kids’ Derby again this year,” said programming director Judy Carr. “This afternoon is a great time to enjoy the library with special activities for free. Just come down and enjoy." A brand new activity is the painting of a Derby mural. “This activity allows children of all ages to share their imagination by painting what they think the derby is about,” Carr said. “We will take a picture of the mural and place it in the children's library.” That this is just one of the activities planned. “There is so much packed into these two hours, we are so excited to bring this to the children in our community.” The event includes fa...

Where can you take your kids for some fun horseplay and not break the bank? The Kids Derby at the Bradford Area Public Library, of course. The annual Kids Derby is set for 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the library. This event is part of the Triple Crown of events surrounding the Kentucky Derby. “This is one of our favorite events here at the library,” said Stephanie Smeal Parsons, community outreach/programming coordinator at the Library. “This afternoon is absolutely a great time for both kids and adults.” The event includes facing painting by Sassy Nat, balloon twisting by Yogi the Clown and Farmer Jack plus cookie crafts, hat crafts and a hat parade with prizes awarded. Perhaps the most crowd-drawing feature is the pony rides done by 4-H/Penn State Cooperative Extension. Parsons hope that both children who are familiar with the library as well as those that aren’t come to the event. “The library is a fantastic resource for our community,” she said. “By getting a child to ...

By SANDRA RHODES Activities that appeal to all ages are on tap for this year’s National Library Week at the Bradford Area Public Library. Tapping on the theme “Communities Matter,” the BAPL is gearing up for a week of exciting activities that run from April 14-April 20. “We are very excited to be offering these events to the community,” said Ed Pecht, president and chief executive officer of the Library. “We want to celebrate what the Library has to offer all our patrons.” Some of the featured happenings at the Library have an emphasis on art. There will be a display of art done by students from CARE for Children. Bradford Little Theater will also display the entries from their recent art contest. Sandy Caparotta will lead a Kids Intro to Art Class 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Library. Preschool Story Hour is set for 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 19. Throughout the week, accumulated artwork from the Library will be sold. With the wide variety of artwork available, there is something fo...

Kids of all ages and their parents enjoyed Kids Derby Day activities at the Bradford Area Public Library Saturday afternoon. By answering questions and finishing projects throughout the building, kids earned a chance to ride a a real horse. Kids Derby Day is the second "jewel" the Triple Crown of events aimed at raising money and awareness for the library. (Kdis Derby events are free). The final jewel is the Derby Gala, being held May 5 at the Pennhills Club. Tickets are still available. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

By SANDRA RHODES The Kids Derby at the Bradford Area Public Library is just a hop, skip and jump away – or in this case, a gallop. This year’s Kids Derby is set for 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the library. The library, located at 67 W. Washington St., started the Kids Derby to add to the “Triple Crown” of events leading up to the Derby Gala, which is held the same day as the Kentucky Derby. “We wanted to offer the same fun festivities to the children that the adults get to partake in at the Derby Gala,” said Stephanie Parsons, children’s program coordinator at the library. “The children get to come play, create and expand their minds in their Derby experience.” And parents will not have to “pony up” for this event – it’s all free. This includes the children making their own Derby hats, balloon animals, cookie decorating, play games, clown, only rides and, of course, a chance to get their own library card. As in the Derby Gala, there will be a hat parade and prizes awarded. The e...

Bradford Area Public Library President and CEO Tamara McIntyre says – because of all the programs and services it offers – the library should be the heart of the community. During a report to the community Monday night, she talked about another goal she has. My ultimate goal is to make this library the best small library in the country," she said. "To do that we need the support of the staff, the board (of directors) and the communitiy. I believe we can do that." The library has added a number of new programs in the past few months, and will continue to add more, as well as update the library website to make it more interactive. Board members said funding will continue to be a challenge, but the Derby Gala fundraiser, which goes toward the endowment fund, is helping. The Gala is May 5 at the Pennhills Club. Tickets for that, and raffle tickets that could win you $4,000, are available at the library. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Kids Derby Day was held Saturday afternoon at the Bradford Area Public Library and, besides, the pony rides, kids enjoyed decorating hats and horse-shaped cookies (with the help of Bradford High's SALSA Club), played horse shoes and other games, and participated in coloring and trivia contests.

By SANDRA RHODES There will be plenty of horsing around at the Bradford Area Public Library on Saturday, April 16 – and library officials are all for it. That’s when the Kids Derby Day will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. The library, located at 67 W. Washington St., started the Kids Derby to add to the “Triple Crown” of events leading up to the Derby Gala held the same day as the Kentucky Derby. “We wanted to offer the same fun festivities to the children that the adults get to partake in at the Derby Gala,” said Stephanie Parsons, children’s program coordinator at the library. “The children get to come play, create and expand their minds in their Derby experience.” This includes the children making their own Derby hats, design a horse, guess at trivia, make a horse cookie, play games, listen to stories, get a chance to name and autograph a plush horse and even ride a real horse. The event is free and open to all ages, Parsons said, adding, “It is truly a family program.” Parents are enco...