INNISFAIL – It was a day to honour literacy.
Innisfail and area families came out to enjoy the 3rd annual Family Literacy Festival at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre on Jan. 26.
Family Literacy Day is a national initiative celebrated every year to help raise awareness about the importance of reading and sharing other literacy related activities as a family. This year is the 20th anniversary of Family Literacy Day.
Families engaged in a variety of activities that incorporated both traditional and newer forms of literacy, such as Oculus Rift (virtual reality), teen tech challenges, games and story sculptures, noted Sara Kepper, library manager.
“I’m pleased with how this event is turning out,” she said.
The event was a collaborative effort between the Innisfail Public Library, Envision Children Innisfail, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and the Henday Association for Lifelong Learning.
"We've got different sensory activities for the kids to play in and learning cards for them to find out about outer space," said Carol Lee Lowe, referring to the Discovery Space Station. "They've got solar clay, we've got droplets from Mars, space ice from Uranus and there's some moon sand that we found.
"Learning through fun is the best way for kids to learn and for parents to see just how easy it is to make learning fun," she added.
One parent at the event was Lyndsey Bridge from Spruce View, who was there with her two children.
"It's really good. It gets the kids involved and it's hands on," she said of the festival.
In addition, families enjoyed a hotdog lunch prepared by members of Innisfail council, and had a chance to listen to guest readers, including members of the Henday Association for Lifelong Learning and Gary Leith, Innisfail’s fire chief.
Joseph Amundrud, also from Spruce View, was attending the event with his two children for the first time.
"So far we are super impressed with the amount that's on offer here at the Innisfail Public Library," said Amundrud, adding the event was an opportunity to connect with the library and with different forms of literacy using games, activities and technology.
"This is a great chance for them to get out and try a few new things that they might not get to try," said Amundrud.
