Rock Island Library, Parks & Recreation Partner to Bring the Fun: Two organizations with community at their core, the Rock Island Public Library and Rock Island Parks and Recreation Department, are partnering to offer community fun and connection with two free events this September.

The first is a free Petting Zoo and “barnyard book bash” set for Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10 am to 2pm at Longview Park in Rock Island, 1300 17^th Street. It’s open to all ages and features 25 to 35 friendly farm animals from Miller’s Petting Zoo, of Geneseo.

Thanks to a grant from Rock Island Township, the event also features a free children’s book giveaway, free popcorn, and an opportunity to check out more books from the Rock Island Library2Go bookmobile. The first 200 kids can also get a free small cup of animal feed. While additional supplies of animal feed will be available for $1 from Miller’s Petting Zoo, no purchase is required to enter the petting zoo. 

Billed as “the greatest farm animal show in the Midwest,” Miller’s Petting Zoo is a mobile-only zoo that brings the farm to the city. Event guests can meet and interact with 25 to 35 free-roaming animals of all types and sizes. Miller’s Petting Zoo has been entertaining families for over 25 years. Guests 8 years and younger must have an adult with them to enter the pen.

This event was rescheduled from late July due to a rainout. Light rain won’t deter the fun, but severe storms could. To check the event’s status on September 6, visit the library website or call the Parks rain line at 309-732-RAIN (7246).

The second collaboration occurs at the Parks & Recreation Department’s Party in the Park, 5 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at Hodge Park, 2294 35^th Street. The two city departments are again bringing back a beloved Rock Island tradition, the Walking Lantern Parade.

To participate, build a lighted cardboard lantern of any size in advance, or make a simple paper bag lantern at the event. Activities at the party include a ribbon cutting of the new Hodge Park recreational trail, face painting, balloon animals, and the paper bag lantern craft from the library. The parade is free and open to all, including organizations.  Parade line up starts at 6:45 pm, with the walk following the new recreational trail around the park.

Instructions for making a cardboard shadow box lantern are on the library events calendar. Lantern making will also be the featured craft at library after school activities on Thursday, Sept. 4 at the Rock Island Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road, and on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the Rock Island Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30^th Street. Both events are from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm and are open to any elementary-age student (grade levels K-6.)

This is the third year for the revitalized lantern parade, once a favorite summer memory from decades of summer park playground programs. The first parade occurred around 1924 and continued for nearly 50 years. It returned briefly around 1997 for the 100^th anniversary of Longview Park, and then again in 2023, for the library’s 150^th anniversary year.

For more upcoming events for all ages, visit the library website, call 309-732-READ, or follow the library on Facebook and Instagram.