Carnival today!
What has a carnival, daily family programming and great raffle prizes? The summer reading program at your Porterville City Library. This year's “Reading Takes You Everywhere” summer program starts June 9 with a free kick off carnival from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Centennial Park. The event will be tons of fun for the family with bounce houses, games, snow cones, popcorn, face painting, water tattoos, informational booths and more!
The theme for this year's reading program, Reading Takes You Everywhere, is not merely about travel. It is about how, through reading, one can explore, discover, and experience people, places, and things that one would not normally encounter. So join us at the carnival and let our Library help you and your child discover new things and stay engaged throughout the summer.
Summer Night Lights
If you are looking for other ways to keep the family entertained this summer then don't miss out on Summer Night Lights. Back for its eighth year, the Summer Night Lights series aims to provide positive programming and a safe environment for all ages. For the first event on June 15, we are partnering up with the Step Up committee to host a local resource fair. There will also be bounce houses, games, a raffle and we will be showing “Despicable Me 3” on the big screen. The Porterville Police Department will be barbecuing so come with an appetite. The fun will take place at Murry Park from 7-10 p.m., with the movie starting at dusk. The best part of Summer Night Lights — everything is absolutely free! Summer Night Lights will continue on June 22, July 13 and July 20 with activities at different parks in our community. The program is co-sponsored by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors as part of their Step Up program. For more information on Summer Night Lights, check out our website or stop by City Hall or the Heritage Center to pick up a schedule.
Freedom Fest tickets on sale now!
Tickets are now on sale for the eighth annual Freedom Fest taking place on June 30 at the Porterville Sports Complex. This fireworks spectacular is sure to be a blast for the entire family. The event starts at 5 p.m. and features musical entertainment provided by The Blue Jackets, a special performance and a patriotic aerial performance by the All Red Star Formation Flying Team. There will also be an array of different food vendors to satisfy all your cravings. The finale to the evening is, of course, an incredible display of fireworks at 9 p.m. The cost of admission is per carload and only $10 in advance and $15 the day of. We also have a limited amount of preferred parking passes available for $20. Tickets can be purchased at the Heritage Center or at Parks and Leisure Services in City Hall. Want to skip the admission cost all together? Porterville Transit is offering free transportation out to the event! Just hop on the event shuttle departing from the Transit Center. Look for more details about the event in my next column.
Splash Pad at Fallen Heroes Park
Did you know that we have a splash pad at Fallen Heroes Park– do you even know where Fallen Heroes Park is located? You're not alone! It is nestled in the neighborhood just southwest of the Plano Street Bridge on Chase Avenue. One of the many special features at that park is a splash pad that can now be enjoyed on the weekends from 3-5 p.m. through Sept. 3. It will also be open on occasion when extreme heat is forecasted. Other features of the park include a walking trail that eventually will join the Tule River Parkway, two play areas to entertain different age groups, exercise equipment, a half court lighted basketball court, two covered pavilions and a sports field. Be sure to check it out because Parks Make Life Better! Donnie Moore is the director of the City of Porterville Department of Parks and Leisure Services.