As it has for several years, the Harford County library system has built a float that promotes its summer reading program. It will participate in this parade and three others next month. The float promises to be a bit buggy, given the library program's theme, "Catch the Reading Bug."
"There will be lots of all kinds of bugs, but mostly reading bugs," said Carrie Comes, graphic artist and occasional float builder for the library system, as she brushed bright lime paint on the framework.
Tales, the library's canine mascot, will be along for the ride - waving from a canoe on the trailer - as will readers carrying butterfly nets filled with books covering entomological topics.
The Coast Guard will have a boat in tow. The South Harford Rotary is keeping its float theme under wraps until parade day.
During pre-parade hours, organizers have called for prayer. Diggs, deacon at Fountain of Life Church on Pulaski Highway, has invited area congregations to join an 11 a.m. ecumenical service at the grandstand area.
"There has been so much negative, we wanted something positive that would bring residents together and bring hope out into our communities," said Diggs. "We also wanted a Christian spin from our churches."
It is another way for Edgewood to show that "there are great things out there and great churches out there, too," he said.
Taylor said: "Forget about denominations. This is just another way for us all to come together as brothers and sisters."
Diggs hopes the celebration will bridge the gaps between generations and races. Taylor promised this year's celebration is only the beginning of a long tradition and "definitely not a one-time thing."
She also hopes it will be a "door-opener to future events," adding that she is coordinating several youth-oriented seminars in the next few months.
"This has been a lot of work, but so much fun to plan," she said. "It will all be worth it, too."
mary.gail.hare@baltsun.com
Concert tickets are $37.50 in advance and $45 at the door, available at several churches and Christian bookstores. Information: 866-926-3921. The parade begins at 2 p.m.
