Metroparks, public library to host reading festival at Fellows

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Fellows Riverside Gardens is expected to be packed with children Saturday as the seventh annual “Plant the Seed to Read” Book Festival brings guest authors, fossil digs and vendors to promote reading.

The festival is presented by the Altrusa Club of Youngstown, in partnership with the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, Mill Creek MetroParks and Western Reserve Public Broadcasting Service. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Ave.

“It’s a really nice day for the kids, and it gives the MetroParks an audience of people that may not otherwise be at the MetroParks,” said Linda Kostka, development and marketing director for the parks.

Last year, the festival brought 2,200 people, and the sponsors expect about 1,200 to 1,300 this year, Kostka said.

Readers and storytellers will be on hand, and there will be an opportunity for hands-on activities, including a fossil dig arranged by Youngstown State University, according to the public library. Sid the Science Kid from Western Reserve PBS will be a celebrity guest.