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Día de los Niños / Día de
los Libros
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| In
1997, at the request of renowned children’s author Pat Mora, the
El Paso Public Library, and the Parks and Recreation Department
began the tradition of holding an annual festival to celebrate
the youth of El Paso, Texas. The festival had two primary
goals. One was to create a family event that people of all
cultural, social, and economic backgrounds could attend and
enjoy. The other was to promote the importance of literacy and
education. That event drew 500 people to the Armijo Library.
Día de los Niños / Día de los Libros was born. |
| This year, the event
will celebrated its 12th year and has grown to
include the participation of hundreds of organizations from El
Paso and the surrounding area. In 2006, it was estimated that
over 30,000 people attended the celebration now held at
Washington Park. During the last 7 years, organizers have given
away over 50,000 books and goodie bags filled with fruit, toys
and educational material to the children who have attended.
This effort helped bring the love of books and reading to
children who might not otherwise have had that opportunity. |
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The event will be held
on:
Saturday, April 26, 2008
11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Washington Park
Hundreds of children marched in the Día de los
Niños parade which started at Fox Plaza at 10:00 am. At Washington Park there
were plenty of fun
activities for the whole family to enjoy. There were dozens
of activity and game booths, a stage with live entertainment all
day, jumping balloons, and free books and goodie bags for all
the children.
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If you
have a group who would like to participate in either the parade
or the event in 2008, call 543-5468. Event booths are free but everyone
is asked to provide games and prizes for the children who take
part. No one will be allowed to charge any amount except
nominal fees if you are a food or beverage vendor.
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