Clouds threatened, but smiles and laughter prevailed Thursday at the Attala County Library “Waterworks/Fun Day.”
The event was a reward for 84 Attala County children, ages 3 through 12, who read at least 20 books each as part of the 2018 Summer Reading Program. The program was co-sponsored by the Mississippi Library Commission. Child and Youth Services Librarian Jessica Oakes organized the event.
Savannah Bell, 6, who attends Long Creek Elementary School in Sallis, read 40 books over the course of the six-week program. 
“I liked them all,” Bell said, when asked about her favorite book. Bell also said she met many peers that she did not previously know.
Students who are not enrolled in Kosciusko City or Attala County schools also participated.
Joy Townsend, 6, who also read 40 books, is homeschooled by her mother, Michelle. The Townsends belong to the Mid-Mississippi Christian Home Educators network.
Latoya Teague, 7, and Logan Jones, 5, were the winners of a drawing for two bicycles, which were donated by Walmart. Teague is the daughter of Gary and Latonya Jones and attends Long Creek Elementary School in Sallis. Jones is the son of Leonard and Rhonda Jones and attends Kosciusko Lower Elementary School.
The celebration was held at the Kosciusko Junior High School practice field. It featured a bounce house, a water slide and free snow cones supplied by Summer Snow and paid for by the library.
The library had previously awarded participants of the teenage summer program with a pizza party. Alex Cruz, 13, of Kosciusko was the winner of a Bluetooth speaker, also donated by Walmart.
