July 27, 2023
Book Harvest’s annual Summer Block Party place on Saturday, July 22 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and it was an absolutely amazing event filled with boundless joy, fun, and an overwhelming sense of community – from the hours of 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, the City of Durham truly became the City of Books!
The sun was shining, the atmosphere was buzzing, and the concourse of the
Durham Bulls Athletic Park was brimming with over 3,500 enthusiastic attendees! From families to individuals of all ages, the turnout was beyond anything we could have imagined.
What made the event truly special was the heartwarming sight of children immersing themselves in a world of books and literacy. We provided an awe-inspiring 7,485 culturally inclusive children’s books, ensuring that every child, from infants to high schoolers, had the chance to choose their very own books to take home and cherish forever! Witnessing their excitement and passion for reading was simply priceless.
The Summer Block Party was nothing short of an action-packed extravaganza! With the generous support of 34 community partners, we offered an array of entertaining activities and valuable resources. From face painting and crafts to live performances and a massive word-search, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
A heartfelt moment that melted our hearts was when a child exclaimed, “This is my happy place!” while picking out their new books. Moments like these reaffirm our commitment to the cause of promoting literacy and fostering a love for reading in our community.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s event and can’t wait to create more cherished memories together!