The countdown to Thanksgiving break is on and Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL) wants local families to celebrate by spending time together reading, playing games, and enjoying free activities for patrons of all ages.
“When school is out and you have out-of-town guests, it might be difficult to find activities that appeal to wide range of ages and interests. Visiting the library offers something for just about everyone – and it has the added benefit of being free,” explains Programming Manager Tracy Walker.
Over the course of the Thanksgiving break and into the first days of December, local libraries will host more than 50 free events for kids, teens, and adults.
“The holidays seem like a really important time to remind our community that public libraries like ours are open to everyone, even your out-of-town guests,” adds Walker.
A library card is not required to participate in library events such as storytimes, author visits, holiday concerts and performances, and writing workshops, so FCPL encourages their patrons to bring guests to visit the library.
The Sharon Forks Library kicks off the holiday break with a special after-hours murder mystery game for teens at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 22. “Murder at the Abby Manor Masquerade Ball” is a role playing game that encourages teens in grades 6 through 12 to dress up, make a masquerade mask, and decipher clues to figure out “whodunit.” Admission is free.
Families with children of all ages are invited to Saturday Family Storytime at the Post Road Library at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, November 23.
Kids can visit the Sharon Forks Library beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 25 to make a fun craft to take home and decorate their Thanksgiving table. Later that evening, families are invited to snuggle in for stories at the Family PJ Storytime.
The Post Road Library will host the first “Turkey Day Tales” storytimes of the week at 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m on Monday, November 25. Kids of all ages are welcome to enjoy songs, stories, and a puppet show!
Additional “Turkey Day Tales” storytimes will be held at the Hampton Park Library on Wednesday, November 27 at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and at the Sharon Forks Library at 11:15 a.m.
Disney fans who love to sing with Queen Elsa and Princess Anna should visit the Post Road Library on Wednesday, November 27 at 2:15 p.m. for a screening of the sing-a-long version of Frozen. Participants are welcome to wear costumes and bring pillows, blankets, and snacks. Don’t be shy – singing along is encouraged!
All library locations will close at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27 and remain closed Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 in observance of Thanksgiving, but when Saturday arrives, FCPL will be ready to kick off another round of holiday activities!
The Post Road Library will welcome back Jingles, the library elf, at a special “Elf on the Shelf Welcome Celebration” on Saturday, November 30 at 11:15 a.m. Celebrate this mischievous elf’s return with stories, music, and crafts, then visit all month long to see what silly stunts Jingles devises to keep our patrons laughing!
The Cumming Library is scheduled to reopen at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 2 following a closure for installing new carpet, tile, paint, and fixtures. Patrons can enjoy tours of the library, a scavenger hunt, or make an ornament to hang on the library’s Christmas tree. Patrons might also like to search for the Cumming Library’s geocache, as it will be restocked with winter prizes in honor of the library’s reopening.
Later that day, the “mean one” himself, Mr. Grinch will appear at the Sharon Forks Library on Monday, December 2 at 6:30 p.m. Families are invited to the Grinch Movie Party for a screening of the classic cartoon How the Grinch Stole Christmas, then make green slime, and meet the Grinch!
Grownups who want to get into the holiday spirit are invited to see academic performer Sloane Meyer give a theatrical reading of excerpts from the classic tale A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens at the Hampton Park Library on Sunday, December 1 at 2:00 p.m. Ms. Meyer will also speak on the surprisingly short and controversial history of Christmas and participants can take home a Victorian-era Christmas craft project. “Dickens in December” is intended for adults only and may contain content not suitable for children.
Additional musical and theatrical performances are scheduled throughout the month, including a free concert from folk duo Hungrytown on December 3 at the Sharon Forks Library, free handbell, harp, and flute performances from The Chapel Bells and Chalcedonia Wind and Strings on December 7 at the Hampton Park Library, a preview of scenes from The Nutcracker performed by the Sawnee Ballet Theatre on December 13 at the Post Road Library, and a winter concert from the Forsyth Youth Orchestra on December 14 at the Cumming Library.
“There really is something for everyone in the family at the library and we invite the entire community to come and share in the spirit of the season with us,” says Walker.
A full schedule of free programs at all library locations is available on the Events Calendar at www.forsythpl.org.
