Hundreds Gather to Join in on a "Craft Bonanza"

A constant buzz of children laughing and parents chit-chatting filled the New Rochelle Public Library as it was host to a children’s “Craft Bonanza” on Tuesday.

Upwards of 200 parents and their kids circulated through the main conference room of the library to participate in the “bonanza.” The event is one of the library’s most popular events during their Spring Vacation Week, according to event coordinator Barbara Davis.

“When school is out, the library is in,” Davis said. “As long as we can get kids and their parents to create together, and for the kids to feel comfortable in a library, then the event is a success.”

Two people who were part of making the event a success were Lisa and Alyssa Thompson. Lisa and her daughter Alyssa, 7, have been attending all of the Spring Vacation Week events.

I don’t want to go back to school,” Alyssa said as she sprinkled more glitter on her Mardi Gras style mask. “I like coming here with my mommy.”

The mask decorating table was just one of several tables spread out across the room. Along with mask decorating, the kids had frame decorating, drawing and construction paper art table to choose from.

“This was the first time I had heard of the library’s vacation events,” Lisa said. “Now, we’ve been to every event this week. It’s better than being cooped up in the house during Alyssa’s breaks.”

Anticipating such a large crowd, the organizers actually moved the library’s tax help group to a separate part of the building to accommodate the crowd. Part of that crowd was Anthony Reynolds, 5, and his father Charles, who was the only father in the room at the time.

“I didn’t really expect there to be any here but it’s really just about getting to spend some time with my son,” Charles said. “I know that sounds pretty cliché but between him going to school and me working, I don’t get to hang out with him as much anymore.”

Anthony declined to answer any questions so he could finish coloring in a picture of his dog that he drew.

While its Spring Vacation Week may be over, the library has events planned for every extended break that kids get from school.

“During the summer, we have over 200 programs in six weeks,” Davis said. “Other than making kids feel comfortable in a library, we ultimately want them to become interested in reading and check out some books.”

Quite a few kids were seen searching through the library’s seemingly endless rows of book, with crafts in hand, afterward.

The library is not just a place for kids though. There are events for kids, teens and adults, all of which can be found on the library’s website.