

The Pueblo City-County Library District's successful summer reading program came to an appropriately festive conclusion on Aug. 11.


While the annual Kids Parade was long held in conjunction with the Colorado State Fair on Labor Day weekend, the library district has, for the past two years, overseen the parade and used it to celebrate the end of its reading program, this year christened "Libraries Rock!" "Summer Reading is our library's most important literary program and encourages our youngest residents to get excited about reading," said Midori Clark, the district's director of community relations and development. "This was a festive and fun way to wrap up 'Libraries Rock!' The music-themed programs this summer helped kids get interested in coming to the library and we are pleased that so many families took advantage of free concerts and other cultural programming at our libraries and at Books in the Park."


Per tradition, the Kids Parade made its way through the Mesa Junction, where an estimated 300 onlookers cheered on 500 marchers representing nearly 25 entries, from dance academies to music troupes to churches to law enforcement.


A colorful and creative conglomeration from start to finish, with many entries incorporating various styles of music and musical themes to reflect "Libraries Rock!" "We worked with representatives of the Mesa Junction Association for the past several years to learn about the event," said Clark. "This year, one of the previous volunteers from the association, Erik Segall, helped us extensively and we would not have been able to complete this year's parade without his help."


Last year, Clark said library officials heard from a number of families who wanted to participate but were unable to because of the busy Labor Day holiday weekend.


"It was also harder for us to find volunteers," Clark added. "So we thought it might make sense to tie the parade into the end of the summer program, which worked with the mid-August time frame.


"And feedback from two public meetings was unanimous to move the date."


Clark said there was widespread community support for the parade.


Representatives from the Colorado State Fair and the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center gifted all young parade participants with free admission tickets.


Janet Monack, owner of Schuster's Bakery, purchased the 14 trophies and participation ribbons handed out at the parade's conclusion.


"And the Pueblo Police Department donated their time to keep everyone safe," Clark added. "A-1 Barricade blocked of the streets for us and the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office provided the honor guard."


In line with the celebration of reading, The Friends of the Library handed out hundreds of books to the young boys and girls.


"We had about a hundred more kids in the parade this year, so we think it worked better for folks," Clark said. "We are very excited to see a new energy and enthusiasm for the parade, which is a long-standing and wonderful Mesa Junction tradition.


"It really showcases our neighborhood in a positive way."


With volunteers from Aventa Credit Union and the Kiwanis Club of Pueblo assisting with registration, serving as judges for this year's parade were library district board of trustees President Doreen Martinez, Friends of the Library board president Dustin Hodge and CSU-Pueblo's new athletic director Paul Plinske.


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