Dancing Pajamas Concert at the Mercer Island Library and More: Play Date!

June 1 to August 31: Summer Reading Program at the

• Keep your kids excited about reading all summer long! Children ages preschool to twelve may register for the Summer Reading Program now at the Mercer Island Library or online.
• Prizes are available beginning July 2 until September 7th. 
• Questions? Stop by the Mercer Island Library or call 206 236-3537

June 16: Canoe the Mercer Slough

• Trip begins and ends at the Boat Launch at Bellevue’s
• 8:45 am to noon
• For families with kids ages five and up. Up to three people per canoe and children and youth must have one adult present for every two children or youth.
• Some paddling experience is required and participants are required to paddle the entire distance of 4 miles.
• Explore the Mercer Slough Nature Park by water. Bellevue park rangers lead this 3-hour trip from Enatai Beach Park.  Trips are offered every Saturday and Sunday during the summer until the end of September.
• Questions? Call 425 452-7225
• Cost: $16 per participant. Pre-registration required by calling 425 452-6885 or register online.

June 17: at the

• 10 am to 3 pm
• Drop by with the whole family! Shop for fresh fruit, produce, flowers and lots of other delicious goodies. Your kids will enjoy free, hands-on activities at the children’s table.
• Market Bag giveaway is today and enjoy live music while you shop.
• Additional parking available at the Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, Wells Fargo Bank and Maloof Building on 77th Ave. SE.
• Directions and bus route information available online. 
• The 2012 Mercer Island Farmers Market runs every Sunday from June 10th until October 14th, with a special last Harvest Market on November 18th.

June 17: Kid's Playground at the Washington Brewers Festival at

• 11 am to 6 pm
• Spend part of Father’s Day somewhere nearby where the whole family will be happy. 
• Washington Brewers Festival is open to all ages June 16th and 17th and Saturday and Sunday only offers activities for the whole family including a Rootbeer Garden and a Kid’s Playground. Kid’s Playground features free craft activities and a father day card making station. For a fee kids can also enjoy giant inflatable toys, face painting and balloon animals.
• Cost: $20 per adult, age 21 and over. Purchase tickets online.
• Designated drivers are $5 and available at the door only and kids are free.

June 19: Dancing Pajamas Concert at the Mercer Island Library

• 10:30 am to 11:15 am
• For kids ages three and up with an adult caregiver
• Pajamas are welcome, but there won't be any sleeping in this live concert with Nancy Stewart. Just songs about howling coyotes, fuzzy slippers, a monster or two and of course, lots of singing and dancing!
• Cost: Free

June 19: Teen Advisory Board at the Mercer Island Library

• 7 pm to 8 pm
• For teens
• Voice your opinions on the books, magazines, programs and services the library offers teens, all while earning one volunteer credit hour and munching on light refreshments.
• Questions? Contact Jennifer Fleck at jafleck@kcls.org
• Cost: Free

Plan Ahead and Save the Date

June 21: The Starlight Circus Show at the Mercer Island Library

• 2 pm to 2:45 pm
• All ages are welcome to this program
• The "Zaniac" reaches into his dreams to present a show that will inspire you to read!  Watch as vegetables are sliced in half by flying playing cards and feats of juggling and balance that will keep you awake past your bedtime. Learning how to use the library has never been so much fun!
• Cost: Free

Sweet Deals

• Kids in grades one through six can earn a free book for every eight they read this summer. 
• Get started by printing out the online reading journal. 
• Good through: September 4, 2012

• Kids ages 14 and under can earn Half Price Books Back to School Bucks for reading in June and July.
• Earn a $5 credit for reading 300 minutes.  Limit one reward per child. Get started by printing out the reading log available online.
• Good Through: July 31, 2012