Rain, wind and a chilly temperature didn’t stop this year’s annual Literacy in The Park event this past Saturday at the University.

The event, sponsored by The Judith and Joseph Conda Family, the University, the Martha Giesling Reading Center and others, was held in the Perry Field House and featured keynote speaker and author Patricia Polacco, various vendors from the University and the Bowling Green community.

The history of Literacy in the Park began 13 years ago, according to Dr. Tim Murnen, director of the School of Teaching and Learning at the University.

“It started in 2004 [earliest event was in 2006] and it really began out of having experts in the community who care about literacy, and we wanted the opportunity to bring in a named author and just be a hub for literacy,” said Dr. Murnen. “We want to create a buzz about reading for not only the little kids, but also evolve for the older kids and their families as well.”

This year, the event was divided by vendor into various “literacies,” which Dr. Murnen explained that there isn’t just one clean definition.

“If there’s a clean definition of literacy, the one we tend to reference is the ability to make and construct meaning of the world around you using signs and symbol systems,” said Dr. Murnen. “Literacy is not just defined as the ability to read a book. There are many acts of multimodal literacy.”

For reading literacy, there was the BGSU Reading Center that provided puppets, tutoring and activities, while Books for Buddies provided resources on how to collect and distribute donated books. Kids made their own bookmarks with BGSU Library’s CRC, and Alpha Lambda Delta, Pi Eta Sigma played “Swat That Sight Word.”

Other literacy stations included visual literacy with The Toledo Museum of Art and the University’s Early Childhood Organization, physical education literacy with the Falcon Swing Society, safety literacy with the Bowling Green Fire Department, nutritional literacy with BGSU Dietetics, and digital, music, science, financial, cultural, writing, math and environmental literacy stations with a host of other vendors, including the Wood County Public Library Bookmobile, The Plastic Shatners and therapy dogs. Each student also received a bag with one of Patricia Polacco’s books and other goodies.

The beginning planning stages of Literacy in the Park takes a lot of planning and research one full year ahead of the event, usually the previous August.

“We waited a while until all the contracts were in place to announce it, but to get an author like that, you have to plan a year in advance,” said Katherine Hickey, co-planner of the vent and graduate reading student.

“Ottawa Hills Schools in Toledo suggested that we bring in author Patricia Polacco in one of our debriefing meetings, so our partnerships with elementary schools and local libraries really help us,” said Dr. Murnen. “We ask what the kids are reading, who’s that red hot author that is up and coming-we look at trends, what do the kids want to see.”

Patricia Polacco, this year’s author and keynote speaker from the event, is from Lansing, Michigan, and has Russian and Ukrainian roots with a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D in art and history and is an international advocate for children’s rights. Her books are famous for using vivid paintings and colors from her ethnic culture and tells stories from her culture and on difficult subjects with advanced language.

“Patricia has authored over 115 children’s books and is very well known,” said Hickey. “What’s special about Polacco-you learn this by reading her books-is that she’s autobiographical, she takes snippets of her life and places them into a story. She keeps themes of family, overcoming things, self worth and tradition in her books.”

Polacco spoke at 10 a.m and 12 p.m, talking about her family history and one of her books called “The Keeping Quilt.” Polacco expressed her excitement to speak at the event and talk to children about the importance of reading and family history.

“I’m overjoyed that BGSU allowed me to speak at an event that is so important to young students and learning,” said Polacco. “It’s so important for kids to understand the world around them by learning about their past and family history, which is kind of the main theme I use.”

Jennifer Riddler, reading graduate student and the volunteer coordinator for this year’s event, said it was hectic but worth it.

“I rounded up all the volunteers, gave directions, handled food donations and so may other things,” said Riddler. “We had 500 families pre-register and about 1500 folks at the event, so it was a success despite the rain.”

Sean and Dawn Riddler brought their young daughter Lily to the event for the first time and and appreciated the variety of vendors and activities.

“It was awesome,” said Sean Riddler. “It was a lot bigger than we expected, and I loved the fact that it wasn’t just reading, there was science, music, math and everything. Lily loved making slime.”