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HAZEL PARK — During the next two weeks, the Hazel Park District Library will hold a variety of events, culminating in its annual summer reading picnic where prizes will be awarded.
This year’s picnic will take place at Scout-McPherson Park, 901 E. Otis Ave., from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. July 29, featuring food, games, and live music by The Reefermen. The grand prizes include three Kindle Fire devices, a $100 American Girl doll gift card, a Lego set, a talking Chewbacca figure and more.
But to participate in the event, and to be eligible for the grand prize drawings, one needs to first sign up for the summer reading program — the library’s way of enticing people, and especially kids, to keep reading during summer recess, when they’re most at risk of the “brain drain.” Prizes will continue to be awarded beyond the picnic, as well, up through Aug. 12.
To sign up, check in with the staff at the library, located at 123 E. Nine Mile Road. The library will also be where a number of other programs take place during the lead up to the picnic. All of the events are free.
On July 14, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. inside the library, Lori Sheffield — a master craftsperson who dyes her own wool, creates her own textiles and cooks up creative food — will teach guests how to roast and brew their own coffee, from the beans all the way to the mug.
A couple days later, on July 16, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the library, Jerry DeClaire will share his story as a professional comic book artist for Marvel, who has illustrated stories in series such as “Thor,” “X-Men,” “Wolverine,” “Punisher,” “Conan,” “Iron Man,” “Nick Fury,” “The Phantom” and more.
“If you love comics, you have definitely seen his amazing art,” said librarian Randy Ernst-Meyer in an email, noting this is the first time a Marvel comic artist has visited the library. “Jerry will tell you all about it, while illustrating the direct connection between science and superheroes.”
On July 13, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Scout-McPherson Park, the library will collaborate with the Hazel Park Public Schools for a special event where kids will make ice cream using a special ball that rolls the ingredients inside, allowing them to literally “play with their food” as they make it. There will also be smoothies the kids can make themselves. Once they are finished making their concoctions, each participant will also receive a new book, free of charge.
The library will collaborate with the school district again on July 27, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., also at Scout-McPherson Park, where students will paint art tiles, to be installed somewhere in Hazel Park at a future date.
On July 26, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the middle of the library and the Monroe Room, there will be a demonstration by Ring of Steel Action Theatre & Stunt Troupe, a group dedicated to educating people on the craft of stage combat and stunt work. Established in 1989 and based in Ann Arbor, the group provides classes, training, custom fight choreography and other stunt services.
For their presentation at the library, Ring of Steel will perform a sword demonstration followed by three 30-minute sword lessons. The sword lessons are for groups of 16-20 kids. While one group is doing their sword lessons, the rest will view Ring of Steel’s traveling museum of more than 100 examples of swords and armor, from ancient Greece and Egypt through the American Civil War.
There will also be crafts and games for the kids waiting their turn. Any children under 8 years of age must be accompanied by an adult during the 30-minute sword lesson, and children younger than 5 cannot participate.
“The theme for summer reading this year is “Oceans of Possibilities,’” said librarian Amy Beem, in an email. “We thought a program teaching swordplay for the summer reading finale would blend well with the pirate program, and would be fun and enjoyable for the children. Pirates and sword fights are super fun for the kids — it’s swashbuckling fun!”
