Families across Cocke County this Friday, May 15, will get an opportunity to kick off summer — and summer learning — at the Spring Into Summer Reading Festival at Cocke County High School in Newport, a free high-energy event with books, literacy activities and family fun.

Hosted by C5 — Cocke County Cradle to Career Coalition in partnership with Save the Children, the event aims to help kids continue learning over the summer by connecting families with free ageappropriate books, educational resources and fun, hands-on learning activities before school lets out.

The event, geared toward kids ages 12 and under, will include storytime read-alouds and meet-andgreets with kids’ book favorites Pete the Cat and Bluey, interactive crafts and games, Newport Rescue Squad trucks on-site for kids to explore and free snow cones for all.

As research consistently shows that reading during the summer helps children maintain and improve their literacy skills, C5 Director Jennifer Ellison said, “This festival is our way of making literacy fun and accessible for every child in our community. We want families to come as they are, enjoy a free evening together, and leave feeling inspired and supported.”

Full details on the event are below:

• WHAT: Spring Into Summer Reading Festival 2026 — free family literacy festival featuring books, educational resources, storytime characters Pete the Cat and Bluey, literacy- and maththemed games and crafts, free snow cones, Rescue Squad truck tours, giveaways and community resource information

• WHO: Hosted by C5 — Cocke County Cradle to Career Coalition in partnership with Save the Children and local community partners

• WHEN: Friday, May 15, 2026 | 5-8 p.m.

• WHERE: Cocke County High School football stadium, 216 Hedrick Drive, Newport, TN