Book Harvest’s 5th Annual Summer Block Party Set for July 19 in Durham

By Jeanna Baxter White

The Mebane Foundation is pleased to share this exciting news from Book Harvest, one of our most valued partners. I met Founder Ginger Young in 2017 and was impressed by her vision for early childhood literacy and her commitment to ensuring that all children have access to engaging, age-appropriate books in their own homes. Supporting her mission was an easy decision. Since its founding in 2011, Book Harvest has distributed over 2.7 million books to children and families in Durham and the surrounding areas. Over the years, we have been proud to sponsor Book Babies, the Big Dream Book Drive, and the Summer Block Party.  ~Larry Coulborne, president of the Mebane Foundation

Free event will offer 11,000 brand-new books for children, family-friendly entertainment, and community activities

Book Harvest invites families from across the Triangle to celebrate reading, learning, and community at its 5th Annual Summer Block Party, taking place Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

This free, community-wide event is designed to spark joy around books and offer children of all ages the opportunity to build their home libraries. More than 11,000 brand-new books will be available—completely free—for every child from infancy through high school to take home and keep.

A Celebration of Literacy and Community

The Summer Block Party is more than just a book giveaway. It’s a festive afternoon packed with fun and learning for the whole family. Over 30 local organizations will be on hand to provide interactive activities, hands-on exhibits, and entertainment. Guests will enjoy appearances by:

• Wool E. Bull, the Durham Bulls’ beloved mascot
  
• The Poetry Fox, who crafts personalized poems on demand
  
• Happy Dan the Magic Man, bringing smiles with his whimsical magic show
  
• PBS Kids, the Museum of Life and Science, The Bull City Woodshop, and Bike Durham, among many others
  

Event Schedule

• 1:00 PM – Gates open; food, activities, and books available
  
• 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM – Wool E. Bull visits and mingles with families
  
• 4:00 PM – Event concludes
  

The event will be held at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, located at 409 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC 27701.

Why It Matters

Book Harvest believes that growing up surrounded by books from birth is essential for a child’s success and for building strong, healthy communities. By providing free books and promoting a culture of reading, the organization works to ensure that all children—regardless of background—can thrive.

“Our Summer Block Party is a joyful, high-energy event that brings the community together around one powerful idea: every child deserves to grow up with books,” said Benay Hicks, chief external relations officer. “We are thrilled to welcome families back for our fifth year.”

To learn more about the Summer Block Party or Book Harvest’s year-round programs, visit www.bookharvest.org.

About Book Harvest:  

Book Harvest’s mission is books for every child, support for every parent, and literacy for every community. Internationally recognized for its work to transform children’s literacy, Book Harvest has provided more than 2.7 million books to children and families since its founding in 2011, ensuring that children grow up from birth owning an abundance of books and that parents have the tools and power to ignite and strengthen their children’s literacy for a lifetime. With programs that are grounded in evidence, Book Harvest believes that literacy starts at birth, in the home, powered by parents, and nourished with books. Learn more at bookharvest.org.