Fayette County, GA – June 4, 2025 – The Fayette County Public Library kicked off its highly anticipated Summer Reading Challenge on Monday, drawing more than 500 children and adults to the event. The celebration began with a captivating performance by magician Arthur Atsma, whose blend of humor and mind-bending magic delighted audiences of all ages and set the stage for a summer filled with imagination and discovery.

This year’s theme, “Color Our World,” invites readers to embark on a vibrant journey through art and creativity. The Summer Reading Program is designed to celebrate how artistic expression enhances our lives while encouraging reading across all age groups—from children and tweens to teens and adults.

After the magic show, participants enjoyed a festival with popsicles, popcorn, face painting, and drumming on the library lawn.

“We were thrilled with the turnout for our Summer Reading Kickoff event,” said Katie Rees, Fayette County Public Library’s Children’s Librarian. “Months of work go into creating a fun, engaging Summer Reading Program, so to see so many families excited about the start of the summer season was very rewarding. I was incredibly proud of our team of employees and volunteers for coming together to not only ensure that the Summer Reading Kickoff went smoothly, but that regular library services continued uninterrupted as well. We always want our patrons to leave the library with a smile on their faces and I believe our kickoff event accomplished that goal. We truly cannot wait for our patrons to experience everything we have planned for them this summer and hope that, when summer ends, they will cherish the time spent laughing, learning, and growing at their local public library.

Library staff wants to remind all citizens of the benefits of summer reading:

• Supports reading fluency and comprehension;
• Helps maintain academic skills during school breaks;
• Encourages social interaction through fun, engaging library activities;
• Builds confidence in readers of all ages.

The library is especially focused on increasing adult and teen participation, aiming to attract both new and returning library users with fresh and exciting programs. Teenagers can look forward to Nintendo Nights, pottery, and an escape room among other events. Adults will enjoy workshops such as D.Y.I. Craft and a vision board. All events are listed on the library’s website.

Register online at fayettecountyga.gov and help us “Color Our World” one book at a time!

Fayette County Launches Summer Reading Challenge with Magical Kick-Off