The C.C. Mellor Memorial Library will start celebrating summer with the 2025 annual Summer Block Party from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Westinghouse Lodge in Forest Hills, at 799 Barclay Ave.
The event will kick off the library’s summer programming and mark the end of the school year for Woodland Hills School District and other students in the area.
While so many summer activities are expensive to attend, admission and all activities at the block party are free, according to a library news release. Snacks and treats will be available for purchase from Dad’s Pub & Grub and 412 Ice Cream food trucks.
Everyone attending can expect a wide variety of arts and crafts, carnival games, science experiments, movement activities and fun for all, including a dunk tank, Carnegie Museum of Natural History dinosaur tent, cookie decorating, Mad Science Discovery Lab, lawn games and more.
The library’s community partners for the event – Literacy Pittsburgh, Forest Hills Environmental Council, UpStream Pittsburgh, Attack Theatre and other organizations – will provide activities.
“The Block Party is truly a community event,” library youth services manager Erin Tobiasz said in the news release. “It is so great to see all the families that attend, the organizations that supply activities and the local businesses that sponsor come together for an evening of fun and a summer of learning.”
Sponsors for the event include Sitko Bruno LLC, Steiner Realty, Kefalos & Associates Real Estate, Commonplace Coffee, Spigolo, and Long Run Fitness Studio.
The rest of the summer schedule is available on the library website, and what follows are brief descriptions of what is already planned.
For all ages
Family Storytime – Everyone is invited to a weekly all-ages storytime Mondays at CCM Edgewood and every Thursday at CCM Forest Hills, with both starting at 10:30 a.m.
Tie-Dye Tuesday – Sign up for a half-hour time slot for a fun family tie-dye day. Anyone can join in at the library’s Edgewood location picnic tables on June 17.
Summer Clothing Swap – Patrons can bring clothing of all sizes in good condition to the Forest Hills Clothing Swap from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 2. School uniforms are welcome.
Chicken Office Hours – Visitors can stop by the CCM Edgewood Children’s Room for a small group visit with one of the library’s chicks. Visits will take place at 3:30 p.m. July 7-11 and 14-15 and at 3 p.m. July 12.
Kids Summer Reading – Pick up a coloring sheet to track reading progress and return the paper to the library by Aug. 9 for a prize.
Baby and preschool (5 and under)
Baby Talk — This program is for babies ages 0-24 months and their caregivers on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the library’s Edgewood location.
Music and Movement Storytime – Children 18 months and up and their parents are invited to rock and roll at the Churchill Borough Building’s Yagle Community Room on Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
School-age (5-8)
Green Team — Join Ms. Jen at the library’s Forest Hills location every Tuesday at 4 p.m. and explore nature and the environment with summer reading and activities.
Art Smarts – Held Thursdays at 1 p.m. in the CCM Edgewood Children’s Room, children can learn about a new artist, see examples of their work, and do a project based on their technique.
Nocturnal Animals – Discover the different species that are awake while we are asleep and why they are active at night in this presentation from Allegheny County park rangers on July 21 at 6 p.m. in the library’s Edgewood Children’s Room.
Kids on the Block Puppet Show – Children can meet Kids on the Block, a group of puppets educating kids about peers with disabilities, different abilities, tolerance and diversity at 4 p.m. July 29 in the library’s Edgewood Children’s Room.
Tween (8-12)
Clue Hunters – Get ready for mind-bending puzzles, hidden messages and physical challenges this summer every Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the CCM Edgewood Children’s Room.
Comic Camp – Spend a week designing and writing a short comic strip at 2 p.m. from July 14-18 in the library’s Edgewood Children’s Room.
Teen (13 and up)
Jurassic Escape Room – Join friends for an after-hours adventure at the library on June 20 from 5-7 p.m. to solve clues and break out of the Jurassic Fiction Room. Register at www.ccmellorlibrary.org.
Snackapalooza Showdown – Compete to develop the tastiest flavor combinations at the teen snackapalooza showdown at 4:30 p.m. June 30 in the CCM Edgewood Board Room.
Video Game Night: Teens vs. Teachers & Librarians – Come play video games with local librarians and teachers at 5 p.m. July 10 in the CCM Edgewood Fiction Room. Winners will earn bragging rights forever. Snacks will be provided.
Clothing Modifications and Mending – Explore how to repair and personalize wardrobes at 4 p.m. July 23 in the CCM Edgewood Board Room. Bring one piece of clothing to mend or modify, and the library will provide some items as well.
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