Looking for a preschool, but don't know where to start? The Preschool Expo is an annual event that brings together representatives from area preschools to one location, on one date. Here you can gather information on preschools, talk to the representatives, ask your questions and find the best fit for your child.
The Ann Arbor District Library and the Ypsilanti District Library partner to present El Día every year at the end of April. El Día de Los Niños/El Día de Los Libros (Children's Day/Book Day) is a celebration of children, families and reading that culminates each year at the end of April with music, dancing, refreshments and crafts. The celebration emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. As celebrated by libraries and librarians, el Día is an enhancement of Children’s Day, a celebration which took hold in 1925 following the World Conference for the Well-Being of Children in Geneva, Switzerland, as a day to bring attention to the importance and well-being of children. Each country selected its own day for the celebration, with Mexico and many other Latin American countries choosing April 30. This is a national celebration partially coordinated by the American Library Association. NINOSROCK
El Día de La Familia
Every October during Hispanic American Heritage month, the Ann Arbor District Library works in partnership with the U of M Comprehensive Cancer Center to offer el Día de la Familia Latina. This fun-filled, all-ages program features Latino-focused entertainment, games, crafts, food, face painting, health information and resources that address the mental, physical and social health issues in the Hispanic American community.
In conjunction with the Main Street Area Association's annual Halloween Treat Parade in October near Halloween, AADL hosts a special morning of Halloween-themed preschool storytimes and offers candy treats at the information desks. The special storytimes are a great way to kick things off before everyone heads out to trick-or-treat at the Downtown Ann Arbor stores. Details will be announced in late summer.
Find the AADL at the following festivals and events throughout the year:
AADL @ FoolMoon
Every April on the Friday night before the FestiFools Parade (held on a Sunday in early April), Ann Arbor hosts the FoolMoon street festival. Participants make luminous sculptures and parade from several points in town to gather together for the FoolMoon revelry on Washington and Ashley Streets. Live music, illuminated sculptures, and other fanciful, light-fantastic fun and performances keep the party going. In 2013, AADL hosted the unique game Johann Sebastian Joust using the lighted PlayStation Move motion controllers. People of all ages played this playground game in small groups for cool AADL swag and other fun prizes. Take a look at photos of past FoolMoons!
AADL @ Festifools
One of the most beloved and uniquely Ann Arbor events is the FestiFools parade held annually on a Sunday in early April, near April Fool’s Day. FestiFools is a collaboration between University of Michigan students, WonderFool Productions, and the community. For one hour on that Sunday, Main Street is filled with magnificent, huge, bizarre, human-powered, fully-animated (and at times politically incorrect!) puppets and floats. Anyone dressed foolishly can march in the parade. With that in mind, AADL partners with 826michigan to host a robot-making workshop on the day of FestiFools. FestiFool-ish kids make robot costumes at the Downtown Library and march as a robot brigade in the FestiFools parade. Take a look at photos of past Festifools!
AADL @ Taste of Ann Arbor
This delicious and hotly-anticipated event takes over Main Street and a few Downtown side streets every June, with local restaurants offering visitors tastes of what they do best. AADL has a tent on Liberty St., between Main Street and 4th Avenue, offering fun activities: sidewalk chalk, hula hoops, bubbles and, most importantly, the chance to sign up early for the annual AADL Summer Game!
AADL @ the Ann Arbor Summer Festival
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is a thrilling annual summer celebration of performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. From mid-June to early July, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival offers dozens of performances, exhibitions, circus and street arts, movie screenings, and family entertainment. The AADL co-sponsors several of the musical acts for all ages held on Sunday evenings during the Summer Festival. AADL also has a tent for Festival goers to sign up for the AADL Summer Game and to play Big Games.
AADL @ Rolling Sculpture Car Show
When the Rolling Sculpture Car Show rolls into Downtown Ann Arbor each summer, the Library participates with a tent filled with cars and other vehicles for children to play with, and for people of all ages to sign up for the AADL Summer Game. AADL staff also display Unusual Stuff to Borrow from the Library, like Music Tools.