Rockin' and runnin' in Russiaville
Town celebrates National Library Week with dance lines and a 5K
This article is brought to you by the Kokomo Family YMCA. April is Autism Awareness Month. At the Kokomo Family YMCA, we’re committed to providing opportunities for ALL to learn, grow, and thrive - like our Adaptive aquatics Swim Lessons. For more info, visit: https://kokomoymca.org/aquatics/adapted-aquatics/
#autismawarenessmonth
Next week is National Library Week, and the town of Russiaville is ready to party about it. With the help of the Kokomo Howard County Public Library (KHCPL), there will be an entire morning filled with events on Sat., April 13.
It all starts at the crack of dawn with a trio of activities that will have Russiaville rocking and running. According to KHCPL Russiaville branch assistant Lori Seaman, people can dance their way across the town with a special celebration.
“We are going to celebrate by dancing from both the Russiaville library and the Russiaville Lions Club,” said Seaman. “We're going to start at both locations, which are a mile apart, and then we are going to meet in the middle and do a little dance and celebration of all of our libraries.”
The line starts forming at 8:30 a.m., and participants will connect the two locations. Of course, the dancing will be a big part of the exercise. But the mile-long dance line is just one of several events taking place in Russiaville that day.
For those starting or ending their dance at the Lions Club, there will be a Pancake Brunch from 8:30-11:30 a.m., presented by Girl Scouts Troop 619. The meal of pancakes, bacon, and breakfast casserole is a fundraiser, with the proceeds underwriting the troop’s Adventure Camp trip to Iceland this summer. The cost is $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 3-12.
The Gene Parks One-Mile and 5K Run/Walk takes place that day as well. The one-mile walk/run fundraiser will benefit Ainsely’s Angels. The 5K portion will benefit the Carl Koontz Community Scholarship, which is awarded each year to a Western High School student.
Both races end at the Jeff Stout Community Center, which will play host to a presentation about the town’s planned inclusive playground.
“They're going to have the actual playground mapped out and taped out, along with the planned pavilion and restrooms the town board approved,” said Seaman. Folks can learn more about the inclusive playground project and donate to it as well.”
Information about the run/walk and registration for the event are available on the Town of Russiaville’s website, https://www.townofrussiaville.com/5k-registration .
The library isn’t finished with the fun with just a dance line. It will host a few giveaways, offer popcorn, and present a Drums Alive demonstration. The energetic program involves striking an exercise ball with drumsticks to the beat of some favorite tunes, and it has been a regular feature at the library branches for the past few years.
Then there is the seed library, which is unique to the library’s Russiaville branch.
“Our seed library will be open and available,” said Seaman. “We have a lot of seed packets, so if folks are ready to pick up seeds and start their gardens, we will definitely have that unlocked.”
For more information about the Kokomo Howard County Public Library and its programming for all ages, visit www.khcpl.org .