Hart County Chamber of Commerce Director Virginia Davis said literacy provides the foundation for children to pursue careers, and that’s why the chamber decided to become a sponsor for the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which delivers a free book monthly to enrolled children.

Davis said the chamber made a commitment this year to raise $8,000, and in an effort to reach that goal, it is hosting its first Imagination Library Fun Fest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Hart County High School. The event originally was to be on the courthouse lawn, but because of the weather forecast predicting rain, the location was changed to the school, Davis said. 

This is an event to raise money to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to the children of Hart County and it includes various booths, food vendors, competitions, games and auctions.

“The whole event is arranged to help the program in Hart County,” Davis said. “The program is about instilling a love for reading. We feel it’s so important for kids to start off with a solid foundation.”

There will be a baby pageant for children 3 years old and under with a $10 entry fee, a Little Miss and Mister Imagination Pageant for 4- and 5-year-olds for a $15 entry fee, a tractor show with a $10 entry fee and a Dolly-themed singing competition for ages 13 and up with a $10 entry fee. Also, award-winning songwriter Gary Puckett will perform from noon to 1 p.m. and different times throughout the day. 

Davis said the chamber decided to have the singing competition as a way to honor Parton’s music. Children will also have the opportunity to participate in a book swap, where they can bring up to five of their own books and switch them out for up to five different ones.

Chamber President Kathy Devine said reading is so important for children and that she has a 4-year-old granddaughter who participates in the program.

“She starts preschool this year and she loves receiving the books each month in the mail,” Devine said. “The program gets books in the hands of children so they can learn at a young age.”

United Way of Southern Kentucky brought the Imagination Library to the area in 2011 and more than 92,000 books have been mailed to over 5,300 children across Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe and Warren counties.

— For more information, call Hart County Chamber of Commerce at 270 524-2892.

— Follow faith/general assignments reporter Simone C. Payne on Twitter @_SimonePayne or visit bgdailynews.com.