By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
Since Ransom District Library hosted its first Summer Celebration in 2021, the event has become an annual tradition.
That tradition continues on Friday, Aug. 8, with Ransom hosting this year’s Summer Celebration from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
As always, those attending the event can expect fun, food and music.
The fun comes in the form of a foam cannon, balloon twisting and a bounce house.
The food includes free ice cream treats—courtesy of the Friends of Ransom Library—and food trucks with various offerings for sale.
And the band The Out of Favor Boys will provide the music.
“That mix of food, fun things for kids to do, great music and the lovely view of the Kalamazoo River offers something for almost anyone,” Ransom director Joe Gross said. “We’re very glad to play a role in furthering local community.”
The first Summer Celebration took place in the summer of 2021, functioning as grand opening for the library’s new building, which had opened earlier in the year.
“It was a ‘thank you’ to the community for their support of the new building,” Gross said. “And after the pandemic, it felt great to invite that community to celebrate together in person.”
It didn’t take long for Gross and the other Ransom staff members to decide to make Summer Celebration a yearly event.
“In 2021, a lot of folks asked if we would have another outdoor event like that,” Gross said. “So we decided to see if it would work on an annual basis.
“We now see the Summer Celebration as a continuation of that ‘thank you,’ and as a cap on the library’s vital Summer Reading Programs. From the first Celebration, the Friends of the Library have covered most of the costs of the event, so a big ‘thank you’ always goes out to them as well.”
Gross sees Summer Celebration as an example of Ransom’s commitment to providing patrons with a variety of programming throughout the year.
“While the traditional library has always offered reading materials, contemporary public libraries have also specialized in cultural offerings and opportunities to learn and share,” he said. “Community health relies on a lot of elements, and near the top of the list is being with other people. Being happy together is even better.
“We hope lots of folks will join us for just that again this year.”
