Families flock to Fall Festival
Nancy DeVille
Diversity Institute Fellow
11.08.02
Tonya Sherrell’s two daughters visit the Bordeaux branch of the Nashville Public Library on a regular basis, but they were so excited about attending the Fall Festival there on Oct. 19 that they were willing to forego their usual Saturday morning breakfast and cartoons.
After the short drive from home to the library, Andrea and Desirra jumped out of the car and hurried straight to the children’s room where Halloween arts and crafts were beginning. Their mom was equally excited.
“It’s a fun way for children to learn and interact with other people,” said Sherrell. “It’s something the whole family can do together that is entertaining while learning.”
The two youngsters were among about 100 children who attended the community event, which included a cake walk, storytelling and movies. But the event was not just for children. Parents were allowed to vote for the upcoming November election, purchase books from a book sale and register their children for library cards.
Branch Manager Verlon Malone said the festival was held to introduce local residents to the many services the library offers. This was the first event sponsored by the Friends of the Library, a nonprofit organization that supports the work of the library through fundraising and volunteerism. Malone said more festivals will be planned in the future.
“The library is not just for books, but we try to provide the atmosphere where many community events can take place,” said Malone.
Efren Brooks said the festival served to reinforce the regular visits he makes to the library with his four children. Brooks said he teaches his children that reading is a sound foundation upon which to build their future dreams.
“It’s a very important place where children can come to read more,” he said.
Metro Councilwoman Brenda Gilmore did not attend the event, but praised the library for its community efforts.
“The Bordeaux Library is reaching out to the community in such a meaningful way and developing into such an important partner in the Bordeaux-Joelton area,” she said. “I am glad the library is taking the initiative in creating a safe and fun place for all of these communities to come together.”
Among the various activities at the festival, the cake walk drew considerable attention from youngsters because it offered the winner a chance to literally walk away with a cake. The walk is a version of musical chairs, where contestants are eliminate for being among the firsts to find a seat.
Several children said they enjoyed the competitiveness of the game and called it the best event of the festival. In the end, two children battled for the caramel cake, and 5-year-old Desirra Sherrell was ultimately named the winner.
“I had a lot of fun, and I am really happy I won,” she said. “This cake will be for my birthday next week.”