12th Annual Claire's Day
The 12th Annual Claire’s Day is a free family book festival – the largest in Northwest Ohio – scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at the Maumee Branch Library, 501 River Rd., Maumee, OH. The featured band is Wilson Lake and the Rock Bass and this year’s title sponsor of Claire’s Day is Lockrey Manufacturing.
The festival is held annually in honor of Claire Lynsey Rubini who passed away from a heart condition in 2000, when she was just 10-years-old. Claire’s Day embraces all of her favorite activities, including telling stories, dancing, making crafts, and most of all, reading. The Claire’s Day Inc. mission is to inspire children of all ages and their families to be lifelong readers through exposure to a variety of literary opportunities and experiences.
Claire’s Day Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization, and through the efforts of a part-time executive director and volunteers, plans and coordinates a variety of events and activities the week leading up to the book festival. These events include visits to area schools by authors and illustrators; a grant program to benefit schools and libraries, and Claire’s Night, a fund-raising event for adults. (Please see information below on Claire’s Night, a prelude to the Claire’s Day book festival).
Since 2001, Claire’s Day has:
• Awarded over 1,800 C.A.R.E. Awards
• Hosted 83 authors and illustrators
• Donated $27,500 to the Library Legacy Foundation
The Claire’s Day book festival features children’s book authors and illustrators from around the country, hands-on activities for children of all ages, from youngsters through teens, grades pre-K through 12th grade. The authors and illustrators meet with young readers to discuss their craft and sign books. The day also highlights storytellers, live music, and hands-on activities.
Selected authors and illustrators scheduled to appear at the 12th Annual Claire’s Day:
Mark Crilley Author/Illustrator
Rhonda Gowler Greene Author
Valiska Gregory Author
Bruce Langton Illustrator
John Manders Illustrator
Kristin Nitz Author
Elizabeth Raum Author
Betsy Snyder Author/Illustrator
Lisa Wheeler Author
Cinda Williams Chima Author
A highlight of the day is the C.A.R.E. Awards (Claire’s Awards for Reading Excellence), which are presented to students recognized by their schools for being the most improved in their reading skills. Principals from the greater Toledo area may nominate students in grades 1-8 for the awards. Over 400 C.A.R.E. Awards will be distributed to some 65 schools around the region - a new record for Claire's Day.
Claire’s Day Inc. has given $2,500 annually to the Library Legacy Foundation. These funds are earmarked specifically toward the purchase of books written or illustrated by the upcoming Claire’s Day participants. Since the 2011 event, the organization has given $25,000 worth of books to the community through this effort.
Claire’s Night
Join organizers for Claire’s Night, an authors and illustrators cocktail reception and prelude to the Claire’s Day festival. Claire’s Night is scheduled from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 in the McMaster Center at Main Library, 325 Michigan St. The Claire’s Night title sponsor is Hollywood Casino.
Enjoy dinner at dining stations, along with festive complimentary beverages and enchanting music.
Here’s additional information on Claire’s Night:
· Cost is $65 per person
· Parking is FREE in the underground Main Library parking garage (entrance on Adams Street)
· Silent Auction
· Unveiling of art pieces by Claire’s Day illustrators Bruce Langton and John Manders
· Attire: “Business”
NOTE: For additional information visit toledolibrary.org, or call Claire’s Day, Inc. at 567.712.1180.
Press Release Contact Name: Rhonda Sewell
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 567.712.1180
Organization Name: Claire\'s Day
Organization Address: Toledo, OH