DATE: October 30, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Catherine McElrath
Libraries Division
PHONE: 954-357-7402
EMAIL: cmcelrath@Broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - For 13 consecutive years, Southwest Regional Library, located at 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines, FL 33311, has hosted the annual StoryBook Festival. This year’s event, with the theme “Home Sweet Home Florida,” will take place on Saturday, November 15, 2014 from 10AM to 4:30PM.
The "Home Sweet Home Florida" theme ties into Broward 100, the 100-year anniversary of Broward County. The emphasis is on the best of Florida as storytellers from throughout the state share traditional Florida stories ranging from Florida Cracker tales to bilingual tales of the Spanish-speaking communities that first settled Florida. Entertainers and theatrical groups will share the history and experience of growing up in Florida through music and drama. The beauty of South Florida - the Everglades, the beaches and the many beautiful waterways as well as importance of keeping our environment clean will also be emphasized throughout the day.
Children are encouraged to come to the festival in costume and join in the Storybook Parade at 1:15PM. There will be a full day of music, dance, storytelling, storybook characters and children’s performances on four stages. The City of Pembroke Pines will sponsor an arts and crafts tent where kids can get creative. The first 1,000 children arriving to the festival will receive a free book.
Enjoy the “Swappin’ Ground” area where youngsters may tell their own stories and interact with favorite storybook characters in the Miami Herald’s Fantasy Forest. Food trucks will be on site selling tasty treats all day and children can get their face painted for free. Parents can bring their cameras and take photos at the Storybook Photo Spots.
The StoryBook Festival closing ceremony will highlight local youth performances, a sing along, and an announcement of the storytelling contest winners from Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary FSU Campus.
The StoryBook Festival is presented by and funded through the Broward Public Library Foundation with support from the City of Pembroke Pines, Friends of Southwest Regional Library, Broward Family Life Magazine, Power Financial Credit Union and the Miami Herald. It is funded in part by Broward County through the Broward County Commissioners with proceeds from the 2000 Broward County Safe Parks and Land Preservation Bond Issue.
Broward County Libraries Division provides convenient access to a full range of innovative and cost-effective services that satisfy the changing needs of the people of Broward County for information, education and recreation at our 39 locations. Visit our Web site, Broward.org/Library or follow Libraries on Facebook and Twitter. Libraries Division also administers the services, programs, collections and exhibits of the Broward County Historical Commission.