children and families on Syracuse’s southside will celebrate reading and books at Light a Candle for Literacy’s Parade and Children’s Book Festival. Set in motion 20+ years ago by Geneva Hayden, founder of Light a Candle for Literacy, the parade and festival celebrate community and prepare young people for a summer vacation armed with books and inspiration.

This southside festival begins with a noon parade and features a children’s book festival, 1-4 p.m. at McKinley-Brighton Elementary School, 141 W. Newell St. (new location). The festival includes book giveaways, guest authors and illustrators, entertainment, fun activities, celebrity story time, a donor drive, workshops, vendors and food. The parade kicks off at noon at OCPL’s Beauchamp Library, 2111 S. Salina St.