The downpour, which soaked the area Saturday, wasn’t enough to keep the James Prendergast Library from hosting its third Annual Block Party.

The community block party was held at the James Prendergast Library featuring 19 artisan vendors; more than 28 community social services agencies and non-for-profit organizations; Makerspace activities; hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities; a unique, library book sale presenting a new bestsellers, unique, vintage books and puzzles and records; food trucks; gift basket raffles; games and the launch of the library’s summer reading program.

According to library officials not only is this event informative for the community, but fun for the library’s staff to put on each year.

“I love this event and look forward to it each year,” said Anne Green, the executive director of the library. “The staff puts in a lot of hard work into this event and it’s great that they get to see the fruits of their labor right in front of their eyes.”

Anne Green, the James Prendergast Library executive director, is all smiles, while dressed as the pocket/prize lady, Saturday at the library’s community block party program. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

Green, who portrayed a costumed character who somewhat resembles Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins -without the English accent or hat- stood at the library’s circulation desk, welcoming event attendees to the program. Green’s character, the prize or pocket lady, was decked out in full regale. Her smock-style dress, which had more than 10, randomly placed pockets, were loaded with toys and prizes for program participants.

“I love being the pocket lady,” she said. “This is all about giving to our community and the library being a central hub for the community.”

According to Jen Champ, the library’s special projects coordinator, said this year, because of the rain, the library did have to reschedule one popular event.

“Because of the rain, Infinity -visual and performing arts- won’t be able to bring their instruments,” she said. “However, we’re looking at doing something later with them.”

While the past two iterations of the block part have drawn more than 1,000 program participants, the rain may have kept some program seekers away.

Regardless of the heavy rains, the James Prendergast Library conducted its annual community block party, Saturday afternoon at the library. While most vendors and display tables were inside the library this year, some were still set up outside. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

“We’re hoping for 500-700 participants,” said Champ. “But I’ve been surprised before so who knows.”

However, despite the rainfall and having to move the block party indoors had little effect on the event goers.

“I love coming to this event,” said Micaiah Green, a resident of Jamestown. “It’s kind of cool to see what the library has that’s new, eat some food and check out some of the programs offered around town.”

Champ, then alluded to another upcoming program, which is currently in the planning phases. The Haunting at the Library fundraiser, which takes place each October, has sold out since its inception three years ago.

“Each year our cast of costumed, literacy-based, characters are a big hit; each year we’ve sold out all of our pre-sale tickets,” she said.

Champ then explained that the first year’s palooza of characters included a cast of historical, theatrically interactive characters like author Edgar Alan Poe, Count Vlad (the Impaler) Dracule and other horror-based characters. Last year’s program featured characters such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s, Sherlock Holms and by American author Washington Irving’s The Headless Horseman from the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Champ, when asked about this year’s lineup of interactive characters, dropped a subtle hint.

“Let’s just say… you’ll have to follow the yellow brick road. That’s all I’m going to say.”

For more information visit prendergastlibrary.org or call 716-484-7135.