Read-a-Palooza at Hamilton Place Mall will be held on Saturday.
United Way’s third annual Read-a-Palooza at Hamilton Place Mall will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. This celebration of United Way's eighth annual Day of Action is focused on Education - specifically childhood literacy. Reading is the key to a successful life, but children should know that reading is fun too, said officials.
The event and all activities will be located at the Mall's Center Stage area, which can be accessed by the Food Court, Belks, or the main elevator.
There will be carnival games with prizes, an inflatable play area, Imagination Library book enrollments and book-related literacy activities for kids and their parents to enjoy. Volunteers will also be on hand to read to the children throughout the afternoon.
The first 500 children present also get to take home a free book.
Parents with children less than five years old can complete a learning check-up from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Families who complete the learning check-up will earn a pass for one adult and one child to the Creative Discovery Museum. Passes will be delivered by mail after the checkup is completed and received by United Way of Greater Chattanooga.
Activities and participants will include literacy and arts and crafts activities; learning checkups; toddler activities with Project Ready for School; Imagination Library Free Book enrollment; get a picture with Dolly (a cut out); carnival games and prizes; free popcorn; a bouncy house and children's books read on the Center Stage.
As part of the Day of Action's focus on education, people can also become part of the Raise Your Hand movement by enrolling to be volunteer mentors, tutors and readers for area students.
All these activities are free to the public and everyone is invited to attend. For more information about United Way or this event, call 752-0300 or visit www.LiveUnitedChattanooga.org.