Friends of Dedham Library Book Give-A-Way at Dedham Trails Day

The Friends of the Dedham Public Library will be joining other community groups at the Dedham Trails Family Fun Festival on Sunday, August 4th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Dolan Center, 269 Common Street in Dedham. The Family Festival will be held in conjunction with the Dedham Trails 5k Run/Walk and the Sprint and Splash Water Race.

While at the festival, the Friends will be giving away a beautifully illustrated hardcovered children's book entitled “My Nantucket ABC Book” to the first 80 families that stop by the Friends’ table during the Family Fun Festival. The books were donated by Whale’s Tales Children’s Books. According to the book jacket, by choosing well known and not so well-known facts about Nantucket, author Valerie Thomas Sheehan has written and illustrated a beautiful book that has something for everyone to take pleasure in and learn.

This year Dedham Civic Pride is working with Dedham Trails on the Family Fun Festival and 5K Race/Walk. A portion of the proceeds from the 5k Race/Walk and Sprint and Splash will benefit the programs of Civic Pride. One of the oldest non-profits in Dedham, Civic Pride focuses on the aesthetics and environmental issues in the town. Their largest program, Sponsor-A-Spot, has increased through their 25-year history and now numbers 67 sites all around the town. The 83 flowerpots in their “Blooms” program bring a ribbon of color through Dedham Square, Oakdale Square and East Dedham. The Civic Pride banners brighten up the light poles in East Dedham and Dedham Square and the signature wrought iron benches throughout the town offer the community a place to enjoy a respite from their busy days. Stop by the Dedham Civic Pride table to pick up your Family Scavenger Hunt sheet and iron-on patch.

Interested runners can register for the race at www.active.com. There is a 5K race that starts at Newbridge of the Charles, through Whitcomb Woods and ends at the Dolan Center. Those registered for the Sprint and Splash, will continue down to the Charles River for a 1-mile paddle race on their kayaks. Runners will receive a swag bag from Legacy Place and a Dedham Trails T-shirt.

At the Family Fun Festival, families can take part in free kayak demos with L.L. Bean, face painting, henna tattoos by Hannah, a bouncy house, and live music by Dedham School of Music. Environmental, health and outdoor lifestyle vendors will have tables at the festival with information on a variety of topics.

Bring your packing peanuts and bubble wrap for recycling to Peanut Planet tent for collection. Boston Children's Hospital will be highlighting injury prevention in children, Dedham Police Officers will be offering an opportunity for children to check out their cruiser, Dedham Fire Fighters will be showcasing their Fire Truck as well as Fallon Ambulance, with opportunities for kids (and adults!) to climb inside and Pirates Lemonade will have delicious lemonade available with all proceeds going to the Pink Rose foundation for scholarships to kids who have lost/had a mom with breast cancer.

For more information visit www.dedhamtrails.com or like us on Facebook at Dedham Trails.