Owen Worth wriggled in his mom Laura Worth’s arms as they were leaving the Warren County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program kickoff celebration Thursday at the Lovers Lane Soccer Complex.

While the 20-month old, his mom and his dad, Jarrod Worth, didn’t get to stay long, Owen still saw a lot in those few moments.

“He got to pet the cow,” Laura Worth said. “He got to see his first fire truck up close. He loves fire trucks.”

Getting him interested in reading is most important, though, his parents, of Bowling Green, said.

“We’ve got to start young and keep him educated and learning,” Laura Worth said.

More than 2,000 people were expected to come to the celebration, which included numerous games and 30 vendors, many of which encouraged health and fitness. This year’s theme is “Get in the Game and Read.”

“This is a fabulous location to have some of our partners. It helps kids get active and learn about resources in the community,” said library Assistant Director Ashley Fowlkes. “We want to encourage that the library is a place to come do things in addition to read things.”

As in years past, participants are divided into kids, teens and adults. Kids read 10 books, and teens and adults can do a combination of reading and going to library programs for prizes. What’s different is that everyone is required to do 10 physical activities and log them in.

“There’s a fitness component for everyone,” said library assistant Elizabeth Rheaume, coordinator of children’s programming at the Bob Kirby Branch.

Some of the fitness activities at the celebration included yoga, dancing, kickball, obstacle courses and bootcamp. The library is a valuable resource for finding books, DVDs and music to help keep people physically fit.

Brian Womack of Bowling Green and wife, Randi, and their 6-year-old daughter, Macie, were taking it all in.

“It’s good to practice those skills,” he said. “If they’re not at or above reading level by third grade they’ll stay behind their whole life.”

“It’s crucial,” Randi Womack said.

Macie was very quiet until asked who her favorite author is. Macie loves to read Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie series.

Maria Badgett of Bowling Green said she and her 13-year-old daughter, Angela, love to read.

“She’s more of a reader than I am,” she said.

Angela’s favorite book is “City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare. The book has been turned into the television series “Shadowhunters,” which airs on Freeform. She enjoys reading a good book.

“I like all the imagination you have to work in your head,” she said.

Cera Jackson of Bowling Green was ready to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with her daughters, Kealy, 5, and Kinley, 3.

“We got to look at the cow and see how they milk the cow,” she said. “Now we want to head inside to see what else they have.”

Jaycie Rowland, 5, and Noah Rowland, 6, were at the celebration with their babysitter, Molly Clark of Bowling Green. She said they were having fun and she wanted to make sure the kids continued reading.

“I’m a first-grade teacher,” she said. “I know how important it is to prevent the summer slide and keep them reading all summer.”

Noah said he enjoys reading books by author Jake Maddox.

“They’re all about sports. I play sports,” he said. “I play lots of sports – baseball, swimming and basketball.”

– Follow features reporter Alyssa Harvey on Twitter @bgdnfeatures or visit bgdailynews.com.