Summer Carnival rewards students participating in the program

WESLACO — The Weslaco Public Library had its annual Summer Carnival on Saturday to reward the students who participated in this year's Weslaco Summer Reading Program.

The children enjoyed food, games, and music along with a visit by K-TEX radio station personalities.

Weslaco Public Library Children's Supervisor Paul Mata said nearly 500 people attended the event, which has been around for more than a decade.

The entertainment during the three-hour carnival in the library's parking lot included a giant inflatable slide and water balloon games.

Mata said more than 1,000 children ranging from ages 1-18 signed up for this year's six-week summer program.

During the event, children also had the opportunity to win a grand prize bicycle through a raffle at the event.
"The kids had a fine time," Mata said. 

 
Mata said throughout the program kids were treated to story time, reading activities and special performances on Thursdays. The goal of the program is to promote reading to children, Mata said.

As a reward, each student received book bucks and kiddy coins in which could be used on rides and snacks at the carnival. Mata said the program set a record by giving away more than 8,000 book bucks.

Each student received book bucks based on the number of pages they read over the course of the program.

Cintia Muñoz received the most bucks with 205, while 9-year-old Laura Gaona read the most with a remarkable 253 books in six weeks. On top that, Mata said each child was given two free books of their choice by the Reading is Fundamental Incorporated group.

"It's something they work towards," Mata said. "We encourage children to read books and they earned book bucks and kiddy coins."