Reading Around The Square "Salute A Hero" Parade, Contests, Glow Run
Reading Around the Square- Sept. 10
Goal: Every Child Gets a Book – PreK thru 6th Grade with the Ozark Community supporting this cause while helping to Promote Literacy.
This is the fifth year that this event will be held in our community. In the beginning, it was my hope to be able to provide a book for the children of Ozark that could not afford to have their own books at home. With the wonderful support of a great community we have been fortunate every year to purchase a “new” book for every child from Pre-K through the 6th grade. In fact, one year we did so well that we gave a book to every child as mentioned and still were able to donate $750 for books at the Literacy Library at the Ozark Jr. High.
We have already started taking donations and will continue to as we work putting together the “fun” things to happen at the culmination and celebration event on the famous Ozark Square; that is why we call this “Reading Around the Square.” This year we will be hosting the finale on Wednesday evening, Sept. 10 along with the Farmers Market. We will be setting up on the south half of the Square. Since this is the day before 9/11 our theme for this year is “Salute a Hero” with red, white & blue décor. We will be honoring our local Fire & Police, the Sheriff’s Dept., EMT’s and possibly MO State Highway Patrol along with our Veterans and active Military.
We will kick off this event at 5:30 pm with a Hero’s Parade around the Square. We are hoping to have several of the local heroes listed above to walk. We are asking for kids to dress up as their favorite hero and join us in the parade. This parade will be followed by the presentation of the Flag!
We will have booths set up and a stage for local performers from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Booth space is available for $20. During this time we will hold an “Edible Book Contest” and the “Cutest Dog Contest.” One of our booths will be hosted by Ozark East Elementary with our nationally renowned “Cup Stackers.” A fun Glow Run will follow starting at 7:30 pm. We encourage anyone that wants to run or walk to join in (this is not a timed race). The cost is $10 with the first 75 registered getting a t-shirt. We will have black lights along the path from the Square to the OC trail. We will also be giving out gift bags to the runners. We encourage participants to dress in items that “Glow” and have fun celebrating at this great community event! We are also looking for sponsors for the Glow Run. For $100 you can have your logo placed on the back of the t-shirts. You can also be a sponsor by donating $50 to hang a black lite in your company’s name.
If you are interested in reserving a booth space, participating in the Glow Run, performing on the community stage, bake and enter a cake, enter your cute dog, be a sponsor or would like to donate, please contact Patty Quessenberry, Chairman of Reading Around the Square - patty.quessenberry@gmail.com or call 827-1074.
