Event slated Saturday at Millar Civic Center
HOULTON, Maine — With the start of school only two weeks away, the Aid for Kids organization has sponsored an educational fair to help students get in the learning spirit.
This year’s fair will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Millar Civic Center and will once again feature “Bess the Book Bus,” as well as many other educational activities designed to stimulate young minds. There is no cost for admission.
“Bess the Book Bus, a mobile literacy outreach program from Florida, will be on hand with free books,” said Danette Ellis, one of the event organizers.
Bess the Book Bus has made trips to Houlton for the past few years and has doled out hundreds of free books to area youth. For more information please go to www.bessthebookbus.org.
New this year will be a presentation by Steve Turner founder of Giving Tree Music from Florida, who will have a drum circle for all ages to enjoy. In addition, To Be Fit, a juggling, nutrition, magician show will seek to inspire kids to eat healthy and remain active. The show engages, motivates and inspires children to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Show times are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The Texting Simulator from the Maine Department of Public Safety will be available to help reinforce the importance of not texting and driving. The simulator is a teaching tool that allows the participant to “drive” and try texting at the same time on a computer to see the consequences of texting and driving.
Other booths include: Maine Robotics, Ben’s Trading Post, Maine Forest Service, Smokey the Bear, Maine Warden Service, Sara McQuarrie from Sneakin in Science, the Maine Fire Marshal’s office, Houlton Fire Department’s hazard house, Atlantic Partners EMS seatbelt crash simulator, Silent Sidekicks, Maine EMS, Dr. Ann Langston of the University of Maine-Orono with a touch tank aquatic animals.
In addition, the Elk’s Club drug awareness van will be on site; Maine Forest Council will have a water flume table to see and feel the power of water; Debbie Melvin will show how worm composting can work in your home; the Cleo Fund with information on low-cost spay and neutering; Houlton Humane Society will provide animal education; and Cooperative Extension will show how to incorporate vegetables into your diet.
The local 4-H and ACAP clubs will have educational booths; Pine Tree Waste’s recycling program will provide information on how to cut down your garbage; Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic will show kids how to make a wooden craft; Caring Hands of Maine will offer oral hygiene information; Community Health and Counseling will offer educational outreach; Rite Aid will host a Wellness Booth.
Deacon Al Burleigh will be on hand to provide information on how to insulate older windows and provide information on financial literacy; Bangor Savings Bank will have materials available for children’s accounts; Cary Library will host a children’s craft; Larry Berz from Easton Science Center will conduct an educational display; Aroostook Council for Healthy Families will offer parenting information, education opportunities for childcare providers; and United Way of Aroostook will have a Back to School Pool.
In addition, Katahdin Valley Health Center will have educational displays, and the Houlton Higher Education will have a booth encouraging people to sign up for a free book and a reading buddy.
Rounding out the events are a bounce house and free barbecue. For more information on this event, contact Ellis at dmellis@myfairpoint.net.
