CHILDREN'S ARTS & LITERACY FESTIVAL
The Junior League of McAllen presented its Children's Arts & Literacy
Festival - Fall 2009 -
"Journey Around the World"
on Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 12 to
5 at the International Museum of Arts &
Science (IMAS) in McAllen.
The event featured children's activities, prizes,
arts & crafts,
local storytellers, books, and live music. Admission was free!
2,386 people attended the Junior League of McAllen's
festival, and 1,000 free books were given out at the bean bag toss.
"I would like to thank everyone that was involved in the event.
I took my children for the first time both to the event and the
museum.
My children all loved everything - we didn't even get to go to all the
events in the building. I would especially like to give a very big
thanks for the books.
My kids were so excited to get home and read. Having five kids,
books can be expensive. I am so glad each one received a book,"
said one guest.
The theme for the festival was "Journey Around the World".
IMAS docent, Amanda Canales,
showed off the museum's African Snap Tortoise during her Reptiles &
Friends: Feedings & Information show.
A dozen different storytellers included perennial favorite,
Shirley McCook, reading "Quiet" by Paul Bright
and Lorenzo Pace reading his critically acclaimed book "Jalani and
the Lock" (named one of the best children's books of 2001 by the Los
Angeles Times).
"We really enjoyed taking a children's story and
adapting it to a modern song. It was a lot of fun!"
said Karen "The Hare" Eubanks and Lisa "The Tortoise"
Ramon of the McAllen Memorial High School Drama Department.
Junior League of McAllen members helped the children try
their hand at various musical instruments provided by Melhart Music
Center.
Attendees were entertained by dances and songs from around
the world
performed by the Edinburg Dance Center, the McAllen Memorial High School
Folklorico, and the Singing Stars Dazzlers.
On the Rioscape Stage, both the McAllen Memorial High School Drumline and
the Alvarez Elementary "Tiger Drumline" thrilled audiences!
"I love making music all the time. At home, I even try to
create my own rhythms," said Maite, a fifth grader whose been playing
the snare for two years.
The kids created international booklets provided by Sylvan Learning Center
and practiced the ancient art of
handprints from South America.
Where there's fun, there's food - popcorn and pizza! Boy
Scout Troop 321 sold pizza for a dollar a slice.
The
Junior League of McAllen, Inc.
