Carter County, you’re invited to an anniversary party. But don’t mark a date on your calendar – it’s yet to be decided.
The Carter County Imagination Library continued planning for the state Imagination Library 10th anniversary celebration while awaiting confirmation for the date.
At its April meeting, CCIL Board Chair Lilo Duncan presented the board with an invitation from the state Imagination Library to participate in the state-wide anniversary celebration, featuring the Imagination Library party bus.
The goal was that after approving participation, the state would let the local Imagination Library know what date to expect the bus to plan the local festivities.
However, that is yet to happen.
“It is either going to be in August or September, whenever they give me a date,” Duncan said.
Board member Joyce White said the state board was probably running into issues having to plan a stop in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties within a two or three week period.
“I would imagine they are having a hard time coordinating those dates,” White said.
Duncan said she learned the Mountain City celebration would be held on Aug. 27. She said she suggested Carter County’s event be on Aug. 28 since the bus would already be in the area, but had not heard back from the state about her suggestion.
But whatever date for the state Imagination Library’s 10th anniversary celebration, the board has already decided how Carter County will mark it.
Duncan said the anniversary party will start with a short parade of children who have received Imagination Library books.
The parade will start on East Elk Avenue, likely around the Veteran’s War Memorial and continue to the Elk Avenue Bridge, where the parade will turn left to Edward’s Island Park. A party with cake and ice cream will be held in the park’s pavilion.
Duncan said she will work with the school system to secure permission for headstart and pre-K children to participate. She said children could carry posters depicting the cover of their favorite Imagination Library book.