Back to School Bash August 9, 2008

The Houston Public Library will host a Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, August 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at downtown’s Central Library, 500 McKinney.

Presented by Wells Fargo, the inaugural event includes appearances by WWE Superstars Beth Phoenix and Super Crazy for a Trivia Smackdown with local kids, family entertainment on several floors of the recently reopened Houston treasure, giveaways and much more.

The celebration begins outside on the Central Library Plaza with patrons greeted by the Wells Fargo Stagecoach. On the Concourse Level, customers will find the Friends of the Houston Public Library’s Annual Children’s Book Sale, with more than 6,000 books (in English and Spanish) to peruse and purchase at bargain prices, just in time for the new school year. Proceeds benefit Houston Public Library programs.

The First Floor will be festive with cultural dance group performances by Solo Sevillanas, Nrityasiri Dance Group, Owerri Peoples, and Brazilian Arts Foundation, plus lots of free giveaways. In addition, Operation School Supplies, the annual drive that provides new school supplies to more than 30,000 kids in need, will have H.E. Buddy, Shasta the U of H Cougar, and Astros Junction Jack on hand to accept new school supply donations on the last day of the drive. Sunny 99.1 Radio will join in the effort with games and prizes.

The Central Library’s Fourth Floor is always hopping in the Teen and Kid’s areas, which include gaming, books, and computers galore. Magician Ted Schwank will kick-off the entertainment in the Fourth Floor Program Place at 11 a.m., followed by the main event – the WWE Superstars Trivia Smackdown.

Houston Chronicle Columnist and wrestling aficionado Ken Hoffman will referee the 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. extravaganza that pits WWE Superstars Beth Phoenix and Super Crazy against Houston-area students. Winners receive both a Wells Fargo and WWE gift pack along with two tickets to see Wrestlemania XXV held in Houston April 4, 2009. All children in attendance at the Smackdown will receive a $3 voucher to use towards book selections in the Friends of the Houston Public Library Children’s Book Sale, courtesy of Wells Fargo (while supplies last).

The Back-to-School Bash is a party to celebrate the end of summer and the successful Houston Public Library Summer Reading Program. Kids and families preparing for the new school year are encouraged to learn more about all of the free resources available at the Library. Houston Public Library will distribute a Back-to-School “How to Use the Library” Guide with complete information about use of databases, online tutors, Info 24/7, back-to-school reading lists, computer classes and more that provide useful tools for students heading back to school in late August.

For more information, visit www.houstonlibrary.org or call 832.393.1313.

Official Website: http://www.houstonlibrary.org/about/news/20080728_BTSBASH.html