Monroeville Public Library Fun Fest packs ’em in again

The parking lot next to Gateway High School’s Antimarino Stadium was full of vehicles on the afternoon of Aug. 26, but not for a sporting event.

Across the street, Monroeville Public Library’s Fun Fest drew a crowd that required a bit of a walk for many in attendance, not that they particularly minded.

“Every year, we’ve gotten more people coming, and this year is no exception. And everybody seems to be having a great time, which is certainly the goal,” library director Nicole Henline said at the height of the annual summer extravaganza. “It’s just so nice to see such a great cross-section of the community coming together.”

Precipitation-free weather with moderate temperatures produced a particularly pleasant environment as guests marveled Fun Fest’s wide assortment of attractions.

Kids could bounce and slide on inflatable contraptions, visit with furry friends at a petting zoo and participate in plenty of activities, including trying to catch balls launched by a Gateway Quasics Robotics Club robot.

A highlight occurred with the arrival of the costumed title character from Fred Rogers Productions’ “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” an award-winning TV show that teaches emotional intelligence, kindness and human respect.

Organizing the library event starts early.

“This has been planned since last year’s Fun Fest,” Heline said. “We work with community organizations. We have some great sponsors. And it’s a big effort: staff, board, volunteers who make the actual day happen.”

UPMC East was the 2023 Gold Level sponsor, and Silver Level sponsors were Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish and Friends of the Monroeville Public Library.

Among the new offerings at the library is a fabric bank, which allows patrons to donate and take patterns, buttons, pieces of fabric and other textile essentials.

The library’s end-of-summer book drives takes place Aug. 29 through Sept. 8, with donations of gently used items also including CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, video games, puzzles, board games, comics and collectibles. A subsequent end-of-summer book sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 9.

In Allegheny County, September is Love Your Library Month, during which donations made to libraries will be matched by the Jack Buncher Foundation, up to $500 per donor. At the conclusion of the annual campaign, libraries will receive a prorated portion of the $125,000 match pool to support their general operations, based on the total funds they raise.

For more information about Monroeville Public Library, visit www.monroevillelibrary.org.