​This year's Light A Candle For Literacy Parade and Children's Book Festival will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 12 to 4 p.m. 

 

The festival is a reboot of the annual celebration that took place from 2005 to 2015 led by Mrs. Geneva Hayden, Edward Kochian, Karen Norton, and other members of the community.​  The continued purpose of this event is to increase awareness of the importance of literacy, counteract the summer reading loss in children, and help parents understand the importance of reading to their children daily.

 

The event will feature local children’s book authors and illustrators, free book giveaways, live performances, and a variety of engaging activities for children of all ages.  Individuals, families, volunteers, businesses, organizations, churches, and schools are all invited to participate in the parade! 

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Schedule of Events:

12 PM - Parade starts at Beauchamp Library (2111 S Salina St, Syracuse, NY 13205)

1 to 4 PM - Book festival at Brighton Academy Middle School (309 W Brighton Ave, Syracuse, NY 13205)

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Parade Route:

Start at Beauchamp Library. West on W. Colvin Street. Left on Cannon Street. Right on Warner Avenue. Left on Midland Avenue. Right on West Lafayette Avenue.  Lineup for the parade begins at 11:00 a.m. at Beauchamp Library.