“Fun is good.” (Dr. Seuss)

And fun will be had this Saturday, March 1, at the 11th annual Seuss on the Loose festival featuring a fun run and all things Seuss! Come on out to Putnam Primary School on Old Glenwood Springs Road. Fun Run registration begins at 9 a.m. with the race starting at 9:30. There are prizes to be won!

The inside fun begins at 10 a.m. in the school cafeteria which will be filled with activities provided by our local businesses and community organizations featuring all your favorite Dr. Seuss characters. Outside there will be a firetruck and a fireman to show it off. Tickets per inside activity are 50 cents, or a wristband can be purchased for $10 to participate in everything.

There is also a silent auction for gifts provided by local businesses.

One of the highlights of the Seuss celebration every year is a chance to see the art that the Putnam primary, elementary and Gatewood school children have been working hard on for the past few weeks.

Kids from grades K-5 at each school have submitted their art projects for the annual multi-media art contest sponsored by Eatonton Service League. All art will be displayed and the winners recognized at Seuss on the Loose.

Putnam Reads passionately believes that immersing a child from birth in a rich literacy environment is a strong predictor of academic achievement and success in life. The more words a child hears, the larger the child’s vocabulary, and the larger the child’s vocabulary, the more likely the child will be a proficient reader. Seuss on the Loose is sponsored by Putnam Reads. All the proceeds are used to provide free books, one each month, for registered children from birth to age 5. These books are new, bookstore quality, and age appropriate for each child. There will be a table at the event where Putnam County children can be registered to receive these books.

To quote Dr. Seuss: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

For anyone who would like to support this program, donations are accepted year round. Tax deductible donations can be made by check payable to Putnam Reads, P.O. Box 4283, Eatonton, Ga., 31024. The gift of reading is the gift that lasts a lifetime.