January 22, 2023 2:50 a.m.

The Celebration of Literacy is a series of events happening between February 1st and March 1st.

Presented by the Altrusa Club of Roseburg and the Umpqua Literacy Council, COL began in 2002, and is designed to provide a county-wide motivational reading program for students and families in the Umpqua Valley. Since the pandemic, emphasis has been placed on giving away books. At every event this year, books will be provided to local children.

The theme this year is Magic in Books. Many events will have a magic show included.

The signature event will be held at Wildlife Safari on Saturday February 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It will include a free drive-through of the park for cars from Douglas County. Included in the day’s activities will be free books under the Dome, face-painting, a book wall, a book exchange, story time, origami making and a magic show.

Several libraries in the county will hold special events.

Each year a literacy play is held which is written, produced and performed by either Umpqua Community College or Roseburg High School. This year the two departments will be working together on the production. It is held for elementary school students and will be performed the last week of February.

Complete information about Celebration of Literacy is available at www.celebrationofliteracy.com