Photo by Samantha Davis. Local children look through some books during the annual summer reading carnival at the Marshall-Lyon County Library Wednesday morning.

MARSHALL — Children participated in a plethora of fun activities at the Marshall-Lyon County Library Wednesday morning for the annual summer reading carnival.

Groups of kids gathered outside on the front lawn of the library to check out a petting zoo, face painting, large yard games like Connect 4, Frisbee and more.

“Its a late summer celebration,” library Public Services Manager Paula Nemes said. “We love it, and we have some wonderful volunteers.”

Children librarian Jessica McCarlson welcomed visitors by playing her ukulele and singing a variety of songs.

“This is my first time doing it here. I am new to the library as of last September,” McCarlson said. “It’s going well. I think what makes any library program go well is having a community that shows up.”

Gathering a lot of attention was the petting zoo brought from Mary Beth Sinclair, who was the library’s former children librarian and retired last year.

Sinclair had several animals available for children and visitors to pet, feed and take pictures with like baby goats, chickens and llamas.

“We added some new things, so we’re adjusting. Having Mary Beth back is always wonderful, because she’s been here every year doing it,” Nemes said. “She was willing to come back and bring her petting zoo.”

Children bounced between all the activities and enjoying freeze pops, before getting to participate in a reading class outside.

The reading carnival is a part of the library’s Color Our World Summer Reading Program, and is the final summer event for kids activities. But, the Summer Reading Program still continues for the next month.

“This (reading carnival) is an annual event. It’s kind of the midpoint,” Nemes said. “We’re done with regular programs for the summer, but we have special events in August, and people can still register their reading until the end of August, and there are more prizes.”

While walking around the lawn to make sure every activity is tried, kids could also be seen taking a peak through some books.

The library has plenty of activities for the community lined up for August, including book clubs, Theater Thursdays, book sales and more.

With students out of school the last few months, library staff said it has been another successful, fun-filled summer season spending time with community members and still helping them make strides in their reading.

“(Summer programs are going) really, really well,” McCarlson said. “Our numbers have been up for the reading challenge, which is always the goal, because literacy is just so important in the community.”