The library's summer reading program Grand Finale, Rompin’ Stompin’, will be Saturday at the First Tennessee Pavilion. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., participants may pick-up their certificates of completion and their prize packets. Along with games and entertainment, the festivities continue until 11 a.m.
"Changing our Grand Finale location to the First Tennessee Pavilion guarantees that we won't be rained out," states Eva Johnston, Coordinator for Children's and Young Adult Services. "Library staff begin planning the finale in early spring. We want our completers to have a rewarding experience without the threat of bad weather."
"Having a western theme has given us a broad range of fun and educational activities to include in our programs and Grand Finale," Ms. Johnston explains. "This year we are delighted to include presentations by the Junior Rodeo Lasso team and Native American primitive life skill demonstrations. Children will learn how to create a campfire by using flint, how to track animals and other basic skills needed to live in the woods. We will also have cowboy actors, a western set and our own mascot, Kit Cat Carson." Participants should watch out for washable tattoos and Chattanooga's Kids on the Block. Reading wranglers may also have "Wanted" poster pictures made.
Popular inflatable playground equipment by Partyville will be on hand. Other activities include a book walk, storytelling, book fishing, horseshoe pitching, a chili pepper toss and western crafts.
To increase the excitement at the event, the finale will feature a prize booth with 120 large and small door prizes. "Our Grand Finale is made possible because of the support of many Chattanooga attractions, businesses and restaurants," added Ms. Johnston. "Every child reaching their reading goals receives a prize packet. They also have the opportunity to leave with additional prizes."
Presenting sponsors are the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library, Friends of the Library, the Tennessee State Library and Archives, and the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Prize sponsors include the Adventure Guild, Applebee's Neighborhood Grill, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Books-A-Million, Bright School, Candy Craze, Chattanooga Ducks, Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park, Chattanooga Parks and Recreation, Chattanooga Theatre Center, Chick-Fil-A, Chili's, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Creative Discovery Museum, Great American Cookie Company, Hampton's Vaudeville Café, Hardee's / J & S Restaurants, Hunter Museum of American Art, IMAX 3D Theatre, Incline Railway, Krystal Company, Lake Winnepesaukah, Mayfield Dairy Farms, McDonald's Restaurants, Northgate Mall, Partyville, Inc., Ruby Falls, See Rock City, Inc., Tennessee Aquarium, Texas Roadhouse, The Battles for Chattanooga, and the Waffle House.