Enjoy a good story this Fourth
The Bainbridge Public Library is more than just a meeting spot for July Fourth festivities; it’s also the site of some great story opportunities.
For starters, Friends of the Library will hold one of its regular book sales from 1-4 p.m. July 3 in the downstairs book room.
While the library will be closed on July 4, the parking lot will be open for fun and business with the second annual Children’s Library Fair.
It runs from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., ending in plenty of time to catch the parade.
At the fair, Bainbridge Island’s acclaimed children’s storyteller and author George Shannon will read stories and tell folktales; Friends of the Library also will host a special children’s book sale during the event.
Also look for free games, crafts and prizes, all to promote the Library’s “Catch the Reading Bug” summer reading program.
Proceeds from each book sale benefit the library. For more information, visit www.bifriends.org or call the library at 842-4162.
Get your grand old culture here
Peppered in among the Grand Old Fourth activities is a handful of new and noteworthy cultural offerings, courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce and the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council.
At noon July 4 at the Winslow Green Gazebo, local poets – the coolest, daddy-o – will hold a Beat poetry reading.
Featured performers will be followed by an open mic, so bring your favorite Beat poem or original Beat-inspired poem to read.
All due respect to Allen Ginsburg and “Howl,” poems should be appropriate for all ages.
For more information or to sign up to read, contact the Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council at 842-7901 or admin@artshum.org.
Just across the parking lot, the Winslow Green merchants and Winslow Contemporary Arts will host the Bohemian Village, a forum for artists and craftspeople to sell their wares. See work by Cynthia Dice, Gayle Bair, Cleopatra’s Treasures, Kathy Fuerst Duboise, Mesolini Glass and others.
At 2:30 p.m., the Sound of Music Choir will perform songs from the 1950s. Be there or be square, cat.
Teens Take Over at Winslow Mall
Move over, Sandra Dee. At 2:30 p.m., just after the parade, teens will take over Winslow Mall with wholesome retro fun in the form of a pie-eating contest and a turbo bike obstacle course along Winslow Way.
Also stick around for the island’s own Army Corp of Architects, runners-up in the Experience Music Project’s Sound Off! Competition and, as organizers put it, “one of the island’s most beloved underage bands.”
Youth band Lumberjak will also play.
For more information, see the Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.bainbridgechamber.com.
Bassets, Westies and Cairns, oh my
July Fourth means fun for the whole family, and for many island dog owners, their pooches fall firmly into that category.
If you’re the proud master or mistress of a Westie, Cairn or Basset Hound, bring your beast along and become a parade participant.
The Westie and Cairn walkers will line up behind the Scottish Highland Bagpipers. Sign up now at Skookum in Winslow Green. Then meet between 12:15 and 12:30 p.m. in front of the Island Health & Rehabilitation Center, 835 Madison Ave.
For more information, contact Stephanie Ager Kirz, 842-4592 or zode@aol.com.
Bassets get their own spot in the parade too, in the 60th annual – that’s dog years – Basset Brigade.
Dogs and their people are asked to contact organizers in advance by emailing lastbassetstanding@yahoo.com or calling 855-8771. Then assemble at around 12:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge Public Library.
