“Oh, the places you’ll go!” Dr. Seuss

Literacy is vital. We want our future youth to be excited about reading and develop a routine to read every day, and that is why Kameo Events NC presents Dr. Seuss’ Inaugural Birthday Parade and Family Fun Day Saturday, March 4, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Main Street in Spring Lake. North Carolina’s first lady, Kristin Cooper is the Grand Marshall of the parade.

“We first started talking about the idea of a parade in 2015. In 2016, right before Thanksgiving, the Town of Spring Lake gave their blessing to host the parade. We have been full speed ahead since,” said Kristy Sykes, owner of Kameo Events. “A few years back I worked with Cumberland County Association of Educators on a Read Across America event that was held at the former Holiday Inn Bordeaux, and that was a great event.” Sykes added that she kept thinking about what could be done to keep encouraging local youth in learning the fundamentals of reading and continue to make it fun for them. 

The National Education Association’s “Read Across America” is a nationwide annual reading awareness program that aims for every child to celebrate reading on March 2. Various events will be held across the country and students everywhere will participate in activities that promote and encourage reading.

The parade step off will be at 9 a.m. at the Bragg Boulevard Bridge. The route will continue to Spring Lake down Main Street and end on Ruth Street. “This will be the first parade of its kind in the area and the first parade in Spring Lake,” said Sykes. “It will conclude with a family fun day of activities at the Spring Lake Recreation Center.” Sykes added that parade participants are asked to have a Dr. Seuss theme, but they have the option of not doing so.

The day will feature food, fun and vendors. Activities include bounce houses by Mega Play, mascot appearances, author Dr. Elondra Napper, Crafty Parties, the Cumberland County Public Library, Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, Book Your Next Adventure, Steps to the Future, Jungle Gym Playground and more. Various vendors such as Pink Zebra, It Works, Park Lane, LuLaRoe, Usborne Books, The Produce Box, The Renaissance Day Spa and more will be there with information and items to sell. The food entails pizza by Fazoli’s, Green Eyez Street Foods, Dusty Donuts and more.

“I would like to thank our sponsors for their support of this inaugural event,” said Sykes. “We look forward to seeing everyone on March 4.”

Parade entries will be accepted until February 24. For more information about parade entries, sponsors or vendors email kameoeventsnc@gmail.com or call 797-9568.