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MEDIA ADVISORY: Sept. 5, 2012
FLORIDA STATE PARKS TO HOST ANNUAL LITERACY MONTH EVENTS
~Select State Parks will celebrate the joy of reading with a variety of special events~
 Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park volunteer Julie Wilkinson reads to children at the park.
TALLAHASSEE – Throughout the month of September, select Florida State Parks will celebrate the joy of reading and promote literacy awareness with special events in celebration of National Literacy Month. National Literacy Month promotes the importance of reading to a child’s educational development. International Literacy Day, recognized on Sept. 8, raises awareness of worldwide literacy needs throughout the month of September. The Florida Park Service will offer free entry into state parks hosting special events this month with the donation of a new or gently used book. All books collected will be donated to local libraries or used in the state park’s library or education center.
Over the summer, the Florida Park Service joined Florida’s First Lady, Ann Scott, in promoting literacy to students. The 2012 Summer Literacy Adventure was geared to help motivate and excite children about reading and literacy. The Florida Department of Education will tally which schools had the most participants in the pledge to read over the summer. The winning school will be announced in the fall and will receive free passes to any Florida State Park.
The following Florida State Park literacy events will take place:
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 8
410 S.E. O'Leno Park Road
High Springs
O’Leno State Park will be celebrating Literacy Day with Magic, and the Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses, along with local authors and guest readers. There will be nature arts and crafts projects and games for young readers.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 9
3485 Main Highway
Coconut Grove
The Barnacle Historic State Park will host Barnacles, Books, Birds and Boats with children’s activity stations including games, Ranger-Read-Along and more. Or, just bring a blanket and book and find a shady spot to read.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 15
4150 S. Suncoast Boulevard
Homosassa
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park will host a Library card sign-up event where volunteers from the Citrus County Library System will be available to assist visitors in signing up for a library card and to share information on resources available through the Citrus County libraries.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 22
7200 County Road 603
Bushnell
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park will host Puppets ‘n Night Prowl where visitors can enjoy a puppet show, book reading and a night walk.
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