A diverse crowd of children and parents filled almost every inch of floor-space in the Inn at Middletown's Wesleyan Room on Saturday morning to listen to Mayor Dan Drew read Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat and have an opportunity to meet the iconic character.
The event, dubbed "Holiday Story Time," was part of the kick-off weekend for Middletown's 27th annual Holiday on Main Street, which commenced Friday night with tree lightings on the South Green and in front of Eli Cannon's Tap Room. Subsequent weekends in December will feature similar children's book readings by Fire Chief Gary Ouelette and Police Chief Bill McKenna.
Drew explained the significance of the seasonal program."It's a nice annual event. It's just a great interactive time that fosters a sense of community and togetherness."
Councilwoman Mary Bartolotta also attended and echoed the mayor's comments.
"It's important to support the community and downtown and have a day together," she said.
Both the mayor and councilwoman brought their families to the event. Drew's daughter Ella was especially fascinated by the costumed feline. "Do you eat birds?" she asked him whimsically during an idle moment.
Drew paused frequently as he read, as he waited patiently on the periodic bursts of clamor that were to be expected in a room filled with tots and parents attempting to keep them quiet.
"It sounds like my house at dinner time," he joked.
After he concluded the story, Drew posed for pictures with kids, gathering some on his lap a la Santa Claus. Meanwhile, The Cat in the Hat autographed copies of books from The Cat in the Hat series, which were sold at a table near the room's entrance, as well as taking photos of his own with lingering children or appearing in joint-shots with the mayor.
Sean King said that he brought his two sons "just to get them in the holiday spirit and spend some time with the family." Five-year-old Owen enthusiastically appreciated the outing. "I liked it!" he exclaimed.
Asked why he enjoyed the event, the boy offered a reason just as basic. "I just liked it," he repeated, shaking his head slightly in bewilderment that any further reason would be required.
Holiday Story Hour will resume Sat., Dec. 1, at 11:30 A.M. at the Middletown Fire Department with Fire Chief Gary Ouelette and "Clifford the Big Red Dog."
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