MONROE - Main Street Monroe's summer theme for the downtown Square will focus on reading and creativity.
Once Upon A Square plans to capture the imagination of people at any age, whether visitors fondly recall reveling in the adventures of "Clifford the Big Red Dog" or reading the tale of "Snow White" to their children.
Executive Director Jordan Nordby noted the storybook theme was a decision made by Main Street Monroe in partnership with the Monroe Public Library to highlight the focus on family outings to the Square over the summer.
"We're really excited about the theme," Nordby said. "We try to think of things that will be good for kids and family."
The theme incorporates wood carvings to be placed on each of the four sides of the Square. Generally, the group plots out 16 statues, but Nordby said the plan is to place 18 in order to include two off of the main downtown Square. Carvings of Clifford, along with characters from tales such as "Charlotte's Web," "Jack and the Beanstalk" and an assortment of others, will be created by Zoli's Woodcarving of Monroe.
Nordby said the organization hopes to place the carvings along downtown sidewalks by mid-May. Recognition of the theme is scheduled for June 3, with a special kick-off event. Games and booths will be set up, he added. The group also hopes to include local authors in the event for story-telling and a possible book exchange.
On July 7, the third of the Concerts on the Square will include recognition of city sponsors. Nordby said Main Street is still taking sponsorships from local businesses. Children are encouraged to dress in conjunction with the theme.
"There's a lot of great people doing good stuff," Nordby said. "It's great to partner with the library."
As part of the storybook theme collaboration with Monroe Public Library, the group has decided to include golden tickets for prizes. Each character along the Square is in a book within the walls of the library. The group has decided to include golden tickets in each story for children to claim. Every ticket will direct readers to a local business where they can turn in the ticket for a prize.
Once Upon A Square plans to capture the imagination of people at any age, whether visitors fondly recall reveling in the adventures of "Clifford the Big Red Dog" or reading the tale of "Snow White" to their children.
Executive Director Jordan Nordby noted the storybook theme was a decision made by Main Street Monroe in partnership with the Monroe Public Library to highlight the focus on family outings to the Square over the summer.
"We're really excited about the theme," Nordby said. "We try to think of things that will be good for kids and family."
The theme incorporates wood carvings to be placed on each of the four sides of the Square. Generally, the group plots out 16 statues, but Nordby said the plan is to place 18 in order to include two off of the main downtown Square. Carvings of Clifford, along with characters from tales such as "Charlotte's Web," "Jack and the Beanstalk" and an assortment of others, will be created by Zoli's Woodcarving of Monroe.
Nordby said the organization hopes to place the carvings along downtown sidewalks by mid-May. Recognition of the theme is scheduled for June 3, with a special kick-off event. Games and booths will be set up, he added. The group also hopes to include local authors in the event for story-telling and a possible book exchange.
On July 7, the third of the Concerts on the Square will include recognition of city sponsors. Nordby said Main Street is still taking sponsorships from local businesses. Children are encouraged to dress in conjunction with the theme.
"There's a lot of great people doing good stuff," Nordby said. "It's great to partner with the library."
As part of the storybook theme collaboration with Monroe Public Library, the group has decided to include golden tickets for prizes. Each character along the Square is in a book within the walls of the library. The group has decided to include golden tickets in each story for children to claim. Every ticket will direct readers to a local business where they can turn in the ticket for a prize.