Picture birds chirping, the smell of fresh grass, a cool breeze brushing past as the warmth of the summer sun wraps around you. You crack open a book, maybe you're just beginning or maybe you're close to the final chapter, and in that moment, you're completely at peace.
That’s the experience Found Books, the Cochrane Public Library, and the Silent Book Club hope to offer once again at the third annual Reading in the Park, a free, family-friendly event celebrating the joy of reading outdoors.
Set to take place at Mitford Park on Wednesday, August 13 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., the event invites individuals, families, and book lovers of all ages to bring a favourite read, a picnic blanket, and enjoy a warm evening of page-turning delight.
“We're really excited to run Reading in the Park again this year,” said Carmen Erison, Program and Engagement Manager for the Cochrane Public Library. “We're so excited seeing how much it's grown in just three years.”
The event was first inspired by a similar initiative Julia Lutchman, owner of Found Books & Shop, saw at hosted by Verbatim Books in San Diego. She felt idea would resonate locally and approached the Cochrane Public Library for a partnership.
“I've always wanted to partner with Found Books on a program, so when they reached out to me, there was no real hesitation at all,” Erison said.
The first Reading in the Park was a modest pilot event, drawing about 50 attendees. Encouraged by the turnout, organizers brought in the Cochrane Silent Book Club the following year, doubling attendance and creating greater buzz.
“I was so pleased, almost to the point of tears, seeing people show up with their picnic blankets, pups, friends, and books,” Lutchman recalled. “I would love to see this grow year over year and get more of our Cochrane community connecting in such a simple and wholesome way.”
This year’s event features live music from local artist Tupaj Parrado during the first part of the evening, followed by the signature communal reading hour and a half in complete silence.
“It’s like communal reading in the park,” said Erison. “It’s just a really beautiful way of being outside.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own books, but the library will also provide a variety of materials at the event, including fiction, non-fiction, and even French titles. “We’ll have something for everyone,” Erison added.
So pack your picnic, grab your current read, and get ready to bask in the simple, timeless pleasure of reading outdoors.
For more information, visit CochranePublicLibrary.ca
