Harford County Public Library’s 7th annual Fairy Tale & Superhero Festival is set for Jan. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Abingdon Branch, 2510 S. Tollgate Road, Abingdon.

“Both children and adults love our Fairy Tale & Superhero Festival. It’s a day for everyone to enjoy their favorite children’s books and characters and to participate in a variety of super awesome activities,” Mary Hastler, CEO of Harford County Public Library, said in a news release. “We offer activities that teach STEM thinking and learning plus crafts, parades, a scavenger hunt, celebrity guest readers and more.”

Participants are invited to arrive dressed as their favorite fairy tale or superhero character or as an everyday superhero. Activities include scavenger hunts, dance parties, crafting, parachute and puppet play, Lego activities, a prince/princess/superhero parade and a superhero training course.

Community leaders will share their favorite children’s picture books throughout the day for “celebrity story time.”

For more information about the festival, visit hcplonline.org.

Community College hosts ‘Portrait of Aretha’ at Amoss Center

Award-winning vocalist CeCe Teneal will deliver a tribute performance called “Portrait of Aretha” in the Amoss Center at Harford Community College in Bel Air, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m.

“Portrait of Aretha” honors the legacy of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, with personalized interpretations of both popular and lesser-known songs from the Grammy Award-winning icon’s 50-year career, according to Harford Community College.

An award-winning songstress in her own right, Teneal will regale music lovers with stellar hits from Franklin’s musical catalog including “Chain of Fools,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Rock Steady” and “Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do).”

Ticket prices start at $30 and can be purchased at harfordevents.com.

Library hosts 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program

Harford County Public Library encourages parents to read 1,000 books with their children before they reach kindergarten through its 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program. Reading will build vocabulary and develop positive lifelong reading habits, according to HCPL. Visit hcplonline.readsquared.com to register and log your books.

Community College hosts Feelin’ Groovy concert 

Jim Witter will perform a selection of songs by Simon & Garfunkel at Harford Community College, including “The Boxer,” “Mrs. Robinson,”“Scarborough Fair” and more. The concert will take place at the Amoss Center at Harford Community Colleg, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, Jan. 12 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. For more information, visit harford.edu.

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