Library hosts picnic at Bluff Valley Park

BESSEMER - Bessemer Public Library invited the public to a picnic on Saturday at Bluff Valley Park.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, children and adults came to show appreciation for the library's hard work during the summer reading program.

"This is to say thank you for coming out and participating in all of our events this summer," library director Melissa Rajala said.

Before the fun started, it was lunch time. For lunch, grill master Jim Merritt said he made more than 50 hot dogs. Also on the menu, there were watermelon chips, cupcakes and candy. To wash all of it down, the library provided lemonade.

After eating, it was time to play. There was plenty for the kids to do at Bluff Valley Park. The children played tether ball, went round and round on the merry-go round, slid down the slide and went back and fourth on the swings. Away at the pond, some children tried to catch frogs.

Rajala had some water-based activities in store. To cool off on the hot day, she said she planned water-themed activities for the kids.

"We have a beautiful day," Rajala said. "So, we've got water balloons for the kids to throw around and see what happens.

While carrying a bucket of water balloons, Rajala explained the rules of a water balloon toss. She said they had to toss the water balloon to their partner and then take a step back. The last team to pop the water balloon wins.

Starting close together, the kids gradually moved back as they tossed the balloons to their partner. One by one, teams were eliminated until there was a winer.

With several water balloons still in the bucket, the trouble makers started a water balloon fight that continued for the remainder of the afternoon.

For the adults, the library put on a raffle. As prizes, people could win themed goody bags. One bag was a "back-to-school" prize stuffed with a pencil case, glue sticks, markers and other school supplies.

Throughout the summer, Rajala said the library has also hosted story time, kids' movie events and other fun activities for children and teenagers.

"We're trying some new things this year and having a lot of fun this year," she said.

Rajala said she booked The Discovery Center at Manitowish Waters and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.

Focused on learning, Rajala said the discovery center put on multiple programs.

"Thursday was the last program, they played a water-cycle game," Rajala said. "They had frogs, they had turtles. They had an owl program. It was a a lot of fun."

To teach children that science can be fun, the library hosted 10 Ann-Arbor Hands Museum educational activities.

"They had one activity with inversion goggles," Rajala said. "So, everything you saw was upside down and backwards. While wearing the goggles, the children had to perform a series of tasks. Such as, writing your name on a piece of paper."

Out of all the fun events he went to, Tom Trudgeon,said the frog activity was his favorite.