Summer Reading Program Kicks Off with Community Fun at The Dalles Library
By Joshuah Albert
The Dalles, Ore., June 17, 2025 — Families and readers of all ages turned out in droves for The Dalles-Wasco County Library’s Summer Reading Program kick-off party, officially launching this year’s theme: “Level Up @ Your Library.”
The event, held Saturday at the library, featured games, prizes, bounce houses, face painting, and a long line at the Tygh Shave Ice truck, where kids redeemed tokens from their goody bags for a cool treat. Participants received the bags at the registration table, each filled with small gifts and information about the summer reading program. Teens picked up their kits in the upstairs teen space.
A popular stop at the event was the Wasco County Library District table, where children spun a colorful prize wheel and received giveaways. Throughout the morning, roving face painters moved through the crowd to decorate eager faces without the need for long waits.
Two inflatable bounce houses, one shaped like a giant puppy, drew a steady stream of excited children in the library’s lower parking lot. The energy remained high all morning as families took part in the festivities under warm skies.
As part of the event, school-aged children were invited to enter a drawing to win a free bike and helmet, with the bike currently on display at the library’s front desk.
For more information, visit the library or check their website for a full schedule of summer events.
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