VALDOSTA — Snow White, Batman and various other princesses and superheroes were at the Valdosta-Lowndes County Library on Saturday to gather treats, catch a fright and even read a book or two.
The Seventh Annual Fall Festival was a major hit with kids and adults with all attending getting into the spirit by wearing costumes and celebrating the cooler weather.
But the festival almost didn’t happen.
The economic downturn combined with already decreasing budgets had library workers fretting over the future of the festival.
While the local budget for the library had gone up by four percent, Little said, the state has cut funding for the library by 40 percent, said Halley Little, South Georgia Regional Library Community Relations Coordinator.
Many libraries chose to cancel their fall festivals, but the local library decided to explore other avenues in making the event happen, she said.
“The festival is usually funded entirely through the library’s budget,” Little said.
In the past the budget for the festival was between $200 and $300. This year, with the monetary and prop donations, the cost of the festival exceeded $3,000, with the library spending no money to provide the event to the community, Little said.
The library solicited businesses and other organizations to raise money and recruit volunteers to help make the festival successful.
A $3,000 grant from Target, the help of the Humane Society, donations from Spencer’s, H & S Supply, Southern Gardens, Valdosta Monument Company, Music Funeral Services and Anastasias all helped make the festival a reality, Little said.
The Target grant will also be used to help promote literacy at all six branches of the South Georgia Regional Library, Little said.
Grandparent Cynthia Bramlett brought her grandchildren out to the festival and even got into the spirit by donning a Dr. Suess-inspired hat.
With the economy in shambles, events like this are important for the community and to keep people coming to the library, Bramlett said.
In the past the event has been very child-focused, but with the help of the outside sources the library was able to expand and offer something for everyone, Little said.
Children’s librarian Christie Paulk was dressed as Snow White, a fact that many of the little girls loved.
“They come and say ‘Snow White, Snow White I saw you in the movie!,’ ” Paulk said.
In addition to Paulk reading a scary story to the children, author Glenn Simmions read his new book “My Father’s Work” to a captive audience.
In an attempt to bring teenagers to the library, the House of Horror, a haunted house for kids 13 and up, proved too much for some, with many screaming before they even stepped foot inside the door.
“This is an important event for the library,” Paulk said. “We are more than just a repository for books and information; we are a community involvement center and if people do not come in the information does not come out.”
The event is a way for people who may not usually come to the library to be lured in and maybe even get a library card before leaving, Paulk said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
The library staff and volunteers attempt to recruit a new player, Bryan Martinez, to their devilish team Saturday afternoon during the Fall Festival.
-
Hallie Doyle escorts her daughter Taryn and Kimberly Freeman, white dress, past some scary characters to enter the haunted house Saturday during the Fall Festival at the Valdosta-Lowndes County Library.
-
A cast of ghouls, volunteers and staff members of the library produce a scary haunted house Saturday during the Fall Festival at the Valdosta-Lowndes County Library.
Discussion
Frightfully fun
Library’s Fall Festival survives a scary economy
- Local News
-
-
Lake Park in Limbo
LAKE PARK — Lake Park citizens will have to wait several months before being able to attend another City Council meeting following Tuesday’s resignation of two council members.
Deb Cox, Lowndes County elections supervisor, said Georgia state law dictates that another special election cannot be held until July 31. -
Colo. court says fugitive sibling has plea deal
WALSENBURG, Colo. — One of the three Dougherty siblings accused in a multi-state crime spree, including a Valdosta bank robbery, has reached a plea deal with prosecutors, a spokesman for the Colorado court system said Wednesday.
-
Airport Authority tours True Flight Aerospace Plant
VALDOSTA — The Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport Authority toured the True Flight Aerospace Plant after their meeting Wednesday morning. True Flight President and CEO, Kevin Lancaster, lead the tour through the facility which is located in the largest hanger at the Valdosta Regional Airport. -
Lake Park: Council members resign
Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.
-
Valwood goes global
Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.
-
City cuts ribbon on new home
With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.
-
Berrien clinic director loses job
Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.
-
From the CIA to man about town
Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.
-
Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future
A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.
-
New TV listings section debuts in print edition
In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Lake Park in Limbo
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
