Explore a police car and fire engine . . . participate in a science experiment . . . work with the folks from the Northampton Community College’s “fabulous” Fab Lab . . . get fingerprinted . . . build with Lego’s . . . create a craft . . . be entertained by storytellers . . . work out with local student-athletes . . . enjoy the performances of more than 600 young people from throughout the community . . . visit one of more than 15 reading stations . . . have your face painted . . . visit the Northampton Community College demo kitchen to learn how to make “Crepes Around the World” . . . get a free book.

With a theme of “Oh, the places you’ll go,” the possibilities for a day of fun, food, community, entertainment-and, of course, literacy-are endless at the Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program’s Twelfth Annual “Celebration of Reading . . . and the Arts and Sciences,” April 28 at the Northampton Community College Fowler Family Southside Center at 511 East Third Street in South Bethlehem, from 11 am – 3 pm-and it is all free.

Thanks to its many community partners, for the 12th year, the Celebration offers local families an opportunity to enjoy an all-expense-paid afternoon filled with food, music, crafts, face painting, sports demonstrations, photos with some of the area’s most loved mascots-and free books. Performances include singing, dance, and theater groups from area schools at an indoor and outdoor performance venue at NCC’s Fowler Family Southside site (see attached).

Cops ‘n’ Kids is an initiative that pairs area youth with new and gently used books generated through book drives and donations from local businesses, schools, individuals, and others in the community who have responded overwhelmingly to the program’s mission of “connecting kids and community through literacy.”

An army of volunteers of all ages and from all segments of our community begin planning for this popular Celebration in September. Their mission: to come together for the good of our community’s children.

In just one April afternoon for each of the last eleven years, the Celebration has showcased the spirit that defines Cops ‘n’ Kids throughout the year.

Join City of Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez, Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy, City of Bethlehem Chief of Police Mark DiLuzio, retired City of Bethlehem Police Commissioner Randy Miller, local police and firefighters, and their army of community volunteers as they celebrate the “spirit” of the community.

Free hot dogs and drinks will be served to the families who attend. To add to the festivities, local students and representatives of the program’s corporate and community sponsors read to children at stations set up throughout the festival area and/or create craft projects/demonstrations/activities with the children in attendance. In addition, there will be entertainment provided by school children and young adults from throughout the community-beginning with a parade down the Greenway at 10:30 a.m.

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