Reveal Your Secret Identity & Win with a Superhero Costume Contest at Rock Island Library
Rock Island, IL: Reading will be everyone's superpower this summer at the Rock Island Library, and if you already have a superhero secret identity, here's your chance to win. The library will host a superhero costume contest for children, teens, and adults as part of its Super-Powered Summer Kickoff on Saturday, May 30.
The Summer Reading kickoff takes place in the parking lot of the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. To participate in the free costume contest, check in at the event's registration table and line up no later than 11:45 am. Families may compete as a superhero team, with prizes available in the children, teen, adult and family categories. There's no charge to enter the costume contest.
Summer reading registration and a variety of special events will be offered at the library from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, including:
- A superhero training camp testing your feats of strength and skill by The Speed Attic and Quad City Wolfpack football players.
- Meet and greet members of the Rock Island Police and Fire Departments, and learn about what they do for the community.
- Free comics while they last from the Mellow Blue Planet and The ComiQ Rack stores.
- Supersized bounce house and slide, face painting by Chuck Knudsen, balloon figures by Rick Eugene, superhero selfies, caped caricatures by Draw Me Bill and kids' games ranging from super-villain bowling to a parachute POWer throw.
- Free hot dogs, chips and water, courtesy of sponsor Sedona Technologies.
- Kona Ice will be available for sale, with proceeds benefitting the library.
Scheduled events at the free kickoff include a drill team performance by Metro Youth at 11 am, and music by the 38th Street Birds band at 1:30 pm in the Main Library Community Room. Rock Islanders John and Kelli Stanford are the dynamic duo behind 38th Street Birds, playing fun music for parents and kids that includes folk pop, children's music and comic tunes.
All events are free and open to the public, with most activities offered inside in event of rain. Due to the supersized nature of this event, the library's 30/31 and Southwest Branches will be closed on Saturday, May 30 so branch staff can assist with the kickoff.
The library's Every Hero Has a Story for children and Escape the Ordinary teen and adult reading contests run from May 30 to July 18. The reading incentives and more than 60 free events for all ages help keep children, teens and adults active, productive and learning over the summer. Research from 1906 on shows that students who don't read and learn over the summer score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer. (National Summer Learning Association.)
For more information about Rock Island Library services and programs, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ, or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.
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Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library provides resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate through the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities.
