Hordes of children donned red and white striped cat hats as they gathered around Youth Services Associate Amanda Preece who read two beloved Dr. Seuss books to the captive audience.
Cheering along and occasionally asking a question or two the young attendees dove headfirst into the rhyming and eccentric tales as their families watched on from around the room. Several came prepared to participate in the celebration with Seuss-themed attire and nearly every small head in sight was wearing a special Cat in the Hat-inspired top hat.
After story time wrapped up, the children enjoyed a birthday cake, chips, apple juice and other refreshments and participated in themed arts and crafts and a green-screen photo-op.
As the party inside came to a close, families headed outside where they lined up to take a peek at the heavens with local astronomer Craig MacDougal’s telescope. Through the clear sky attendees could peer into the scope and explore the surface of the moon, spotting craters and mountains on its rocky terrain.
Even their parents got in on the action as the tiny ladder was removed and they hunched over the extravagant telescope to catch a glimpse of the lunar surface. As both young and old alike enjoyed the zoomed in view of the moon MacDougal taught them basic astro trivia and offered advice on how to learn more about our solar system and the universe we all call home.