CLEVELAND, NOVEMBER 9, 2023: The city of Cleveland is poised to celebrate a remarkable literary achievement, and the entire community is invited to join in the festivities.
On Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Cleveland will come together for the Cleveland READS Parade & Victory Bash, the culmination of a year-long campaign that sparked a love of reading across our great city.
“This year, I challenged Cleveland to read 1 million books and 10 million minutes and I am so proud of what we have accomplished as a city,” states Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “Thank you to all our partners and supporters who encouraged and inspired the community to participate in this challenge. Cleveland truly is the city that reads!”
“Mayor Bibb set our goal high,” says Connie Hill-Johnson, Chairperson, Board of Directors, The Cleveland Foundation and Co-Chair of Cleveland READS. “We invite all Clevelanders to parade from Cleveland Public Library to the steps of City Hall, where we will reveal the incredible results of the Cleveland READS challenge and party in Public Auditorium.”
Preparation is well underway to parade to the steps of City Hall and create an afternoon of family-friendly fun and celebration, including:
- Prizes, giveaways and free books for all ages
- Free food from a delicious array of food trucks
- Trackless train rides
- Heart-pumping roller skating, bumper cars and a bouncy house
- Live music and holiday entertainment
- Free transportation to and from the event at six Cleveland Public Library locations
“This is an opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate our collective dedication to the joy of reading and the success of the Cleveland READS challenge,” mentions Cleveland Public Library Executive Director and CEO.
The Cleveland READS Victory Bash kicks off at Cleveland Public Library’s Main Library at 1:00 p.m. with an action-packed parade to the steps of City Hall. At 1:30 p.m. the much-anticipated Cleveland READS results will be announced. The Victory Bash, set in the grandeur of Public Auditorium, will feature an assortment of activities that will delight both young and old.
You don’t have to wait until December to start the holiday family fun. Experience WinterLand 2023 at Cleveland Public Library on November 25, 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Before the tree lighting on Public Square, walk down to Main Library to take your free holiday pictures, enjoy hot cocoa, live reindeer, storytime with beloved children’s author and illustrator Bill Cotter, Nutcracker selections by City Ballet of Cleveland, face painting, balloon twisting, live music performances and more.
For more information about the Cleveland READS citywide reading challenge and upcoming events, please visit clevelandreads.com/events or cpl.org.