A summer of fantastic reading has gotten off to a great start with 85 children already registered at the Demopolis Public Library by the close of the first day of registration.

The program is for children birth to 12th grade, with prizes earned for the number of books read.

“Those who can’t read count the books that are read to them,” said Lindsey Gardner, library director.

But the program offers a lot more than reading, beginning with the Skin and Bones Comedy Circus kicking off the program today.

“We’re asking the kids to start arriving around 1:30 because we’ll have popcorn, cotton candy and drinks,” Gardner said. “The comedy circus will begin around 2 p.m.”

The mayor may put in a guest appearance, donning the appropriate clothing for a circus of course.

The main library parking lot will be closed off while the circus is going on, but Gardner said parking spaces should be available nearby.

Gardner said the number of children registered is about typical for the first week of registration, but said she thinks they may get more because people are learning that children do not have to register during that first week.

“We’ve been trying to get the word out for the last couple of years that you don’t have to register that first day or even that first week,” she said. “We’ll be registering kids through the summer.”

In addition to the reading, programs are scheduled throughout the summer, varying in age range and type of entertainment – from “Little Red Hen” for children two years to pre-k to a McWane program for students in grades four through six.

By reading, children can garner free books, personal pizzas from Pizza Hut and could win a $100 gift certificate from Wal-Mart. The more they read, the better their chances.