The Santa Ana Public Library held its annual Día de los Niños / Día de los Libros (Children’s Day / Book Day) on Saturday, April 21, 2012. The event, held annually at the library since 2009, celebrates the importance of children and literacy.

This year the celebration was expanded to include Ross Street, which was closed to the public from the corner of Ross and Civic Center (on the north) to Ross and Santa Ana Boulevard (on the south). In previous years, the festivities were held in a much smaller space: the turn-around area to the south of the Main Library.

Another wonderful addition was a health fair featuring agencies such as Blue Shield, Latino Health Access, and Bristol Family Pharmacy. Radio Station HOT 92.3 partnered with Western Dental in their No CaviDees Mobile Dental Unit to offer free teeth cleaning to local children during the festivities. Other community agencies that participated were Consulado Mexicano, OC Foster and Care, State Farm Insurance, THINK Together, and Los 32 Por Mexico en Orange County, to name just a few of the agencies represented.

Following the tradition established in prior years, a Scholastic Book Sale gave consumers a “Buy One, Get One Free” deal. On the main stage, performances by special artists included a fashion show featuring traditional dress of Mexico, a magic show, a bilingual puppet show, and a special performance by world record holder, Juggler David Cousin.

The children and families attending Día had a wonderful time watching the live performances, visiting the various booths, and even riding a colorful children’s train that traveled around the event.