Mayor Deegan will discuss River City Readers, distribute books and backpacks, and meet and greet attendees. Other activities will include:

• FREE books and backpacks
• Storytime Tent
• Bounce House
• Face Painting
• Balloon Artists
• Glitter Tattoos
• Food Trucks (including Kona Ice and Honeydrippers)
• Readings and Meet & Greets with Children's Book Authors
• Beanstack Sign-Up
• JTA Cooling Bus

Participants are closing in on the River City Readers goal of reading one million minutes citywide by the end of the year through the Beanstack app. The purpose of the summer reading kickoff is to keep kids excited and motivated to read over the summer and continue to close the literacy gap in Duval County.

WHEN: 9am-12pm, Saturday, June 8, 2024 (Mayor Deegan will speak at 9:30am)
 
WHERE: Ed Austin Regional Park
11751 McCormick Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32225
             
WHO: Mayor Deegan, City of Jacksonville
City Councilman Ken Amaro, Jacksonville City Council
Hello, Mr. Joe, Jacksonville-based Children’s Author
Jaxson de Villle, the Roar and the D-Line from the Jacksonville Jaguars
PBS Kids Characters from WJCT Public Media

 NOTE: This event is free to attend and does not require advance registration