2nd Annual Kids Literacy Farmers Market draws Fairbanks youth for games and activities

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - With games, activities, and lots of books, the 2nd Annual Kids Literacy Farmers Market brought interested families from around the borough to celebrate youth reading outside of Noel Wien Library.

“After the pandemic, we’re trying to figure out how to get kids engaged with summertime reading and partner with the school district,” said Melissa Harter, Director of the library.

More than 40 partners from around the borough participated, including the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, North Pole Library, and various Nonprofits.

One booth challenged children to finish a story started by someone in the Fairbanks Correctional Center.

Jonah Easaw, Volunteer at the booth, and student at Lathrop High School, explained the activity “helps with bringing creativity to people in the correctional facility, and also at the Boys and Girls Club and the community in general. Helping them expand stories, write stories, just allowing them to get that creative flow going.”

Another tent saw kids completing an obstacle course.

These stations were staffed by residents from all different kinds of organizations, but all with the goal of helping kids to be better readers.

Each activity earned the young readers a coin, which they could then use to buy fresh, locally grown food. “We bought from local farmers. It’s amazing, the tables were amazing,” Harter said.

By Harter’s estimate, nearly 1 thousand attendees floated from table to table. “Everybody seems to be having a good time.”

Easaw, meanwhile, said, “Pretty good turnout. We have a lot of people who have decided to come out.”

With the start of next school year set for August 17, these reading skills will certainly come in handy.

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