19th Annual ‘Chelsea Reads’ set for Saturday, Nov. 2 at CPL
By Cary Shuman
Chelsea Reads, an event celebrating literacy and all-things reading-oriented, was one of the most anticipated events on the local calendar throughout the previous decade (2010s).
But in the years after COVID-19 hit the city hard, attendance decreased.
Library Director Lisa Mucciarone and Librarian Amanda Arsenault have been working hard to restore the excitement associated with the Chelsea Reads event that will be held inside one of Chelsea’s greatest treasures, the Chelsea Public Library.
A backpack of books for all guests
With all attendees set to receive complimentary, beautiful red backpacks, a selection of free books, and fancy cupcakes from Orlando’s Fully Baked, owned by Orlando Velazco, there are multiple reasons to enjoy the 19th Annual “Chelsea Reads,” scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is held in coordination with National Literacy Month.
“All ages are invited, but of course, youths are the focal point,” said Arsenault.
“We hear that an adult book club plans to attend, so it’s open to everyone,” added Mucciarone.
Supt. Dr. Almi Abeyta will be a celebrity reader
Chelsea Reads is receiving the strong support of the School Department, with Supt. of Schools Dr. Almi Abeyta set to appear as a celebrity reader, leading a group of Chelsea students in the enjoyment of one of her personally selected books. City Councilor Lisa Santagate is also on the list of celebrity readers while newly installed Chief of Health and Human Resources Tracy Nowicki is also volunteering as a celebrity reader. “We’re working on adding some other celebrities as well,” said Mucciarone.
Meanwhile, the mascot, Taco Dragon, from the book, “Dragons Love Tacos,” will be interacting with guests. For art enthusiasts, Sury Chavez of Galeria de Chuwi, who currently has an exhibit at City Hall, will be coordinating a wooden canvases’ mural project with the children, who will be painting a sketch for the mural. Mucciarone and Arsenault are hopeful that a large turnout of children and families will attend Chelsea Reads. “Hopefully this year we’ll get back to those pre-pandemic numbers,” said Arsenault.
“Our trustees and members of the community have expressed interest in making this event bigger again,” said Mucciarone, who is celebrating her first anniversary as library director.
“So that’s what we’re trying to do for this year.”
“The library is here, and we do lots of cool stuff,” concluded Arsenault. And Chelsea Reads is one of its coolest things, and the belief is that Chelsea’s energetic superintendent of schools and her administrative team will get the word out that the CPL will be the place to be on Saturday, Nov. 2.