Picnic with the Library, the Foundation’s family event, raises much needed funds to support life-changing children’s early literacy programming. On a beautiful Sunday in April almost 500 supporters gathered in the Main Library’s Robinson Courtyard for the 8th annual Picnic with the Library! Last year’s event was themed around Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, showcasing the wonderful, imaginative world full of candy, treats, and of course, chocolate, bringing a delicious display of literature to life for children of all ages. The event offered wall to wall fun activities including a puppet show from Wishing Chair Productions, an imaginative art project from Little Art House, face painting, visits from favorite children’s book characters, food, cocktails and more.
The event includes an afternoon of family-friendly fun: a picnic dinner and a courtyard full of activities including crafts with Little Art House, a scavenger hunt, face painting, and sweet treats from Goo Goo Cluster, among others, as well as access to a special interactive performance by Wishing Chair Productions, the Library’s resident puppet troupe. Kids enjoyed dancing to DJ Lonnell’s jams and sharing the dance floor with beloved children’s book characters like Clifford, Corduroy, Llama Llama and Willy Wonka.
In its eighth year, the Picnic with the Library continues to support Nashville Public Library’s Wishing Chair Productions, story times, Puppet Trucks, mentorship programs and early literacy initiatives reaching more than 100,000 children and their families.
Join Us at Picnic with the Library each spring to enjoy the library like never before and raise crucial funds for early literacy and children’s programming.
Past Picnic Chairs
- 2016 Vandana Abramson & Kathryn Hays
- 2017 Melissa Rick & Katie Robinson
- 2018 Cassidy Bentley & Ashley Frist
- 2019 Kailey Hand & Caroline West
- 2020 Elizabeth Frist & Julia Spickard
- 2021 Sara Bovender & Dee Patel
- 2022 Mary Craven & Burney Dawkins / Johari & Lonnell Matthews
- 2023 Amy & Julian Bryant / Kelsey & Robert Finger / Sara & Jeremy Garner