The 10th Annual Newton County Literacy Festival, co-sponsored by The Learning Center, Main Street Covington, and Newton County Community Partnership, brings together organizations and businesses committed to strengthening family literacy in an afternoon of fun.
The Literacy Festival will be held on Sunday, Sept. 23 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the square in historic Covington. Booths will offer a wide variety of activities for children such as arts and crafts, games, sidewalk chalk art, and a book walk, while adults can learn more about services offered by each organization. The festival is free to the public, thanks to the kind sponsorship of Liberty Mutual - Chris Greene, Newton Federal Bank, Game Time, and Rotary Club of Covington.
Some nonprofit organizations will offer special services such as face painting or Dr. Seuss "Who" hairdos for a small donation.
The Literacy Festival Stage will feature local entertainment by Springfield Baptist Church Dance Ministry, Social Circle Theater Well Diggers, TG'Z-The Taylor Girlz, Scarden, with T. Rumble and The Kidz performing at 3:30 pm. Local authors will be on hand to sign copies of their books.
Giveaways and door prizes include $50 Visa gift cards, backpacks, school supplies, books, and a host of crafts.
The Sidewalk Chalk Art competition, begun in 2007, is open to students sixth grade and older, who can registering as individuals or group entries.
There is no cost to participate. A 12-pack of art chalk will be provided on a first-register/ first-serve basis to the first 50 participants.
Participants can get a registration form from their school art teacher or by contacting The Learning Center.
Participants also may register the day of the event beginning at 12:30 p.m. Drawing will begin at 1 p.m. and ends at 4 p.m. for judging. The theme for this year's entries is "Bringing Words to Life;" drawings may be original works or copies of published illustrations.
There is no charge for organizations or businesses to host a booth at the festival.
If your organization would like to have a booth offering a literacy-based activity at the 10th Annual Newton County Literacy Festival, contact Mollie Melvin, Executive Director of The Learning Center at (404) 314-2615 or info@leapintobooks.org.
