NEWBURYPORT — Gathered under a small tent planted in the Emma Andrews Library’s lawn Wednesday morning, around 20 kids eagerly listened to Newburyport School Resource Officer Kyle McElroy during his visit to the Purchase Street library’s annual end of summer party.
“You guys are all my partners today,” McElroy told the eager group of young kids.
McElroy was just one of the many attractions for kids attending the outdoor party, as various craft tables run by volunteers were setup including face painting, a sticker booth, a coloring table, a photo booth, hula hoops, temporary tattoos and more.
As kids began to disperse to go back to enjoying the stations and grabbing their choice of a popsicle or a hoodsie cup, McElroy spoke about what he discussed with them.
“More of just like bike safety, wearing helmets, crosswalks. There’s some kids in here that are old enough to kind of know. I asked a number of the 8-year-olds if they knew their parents’ phone numbers, just in case if they were to get lost,” McElroy said.
He said he always looks forward to working with local youth.
“You wear a badge and the kids light up,” McElroy said.
Emma Andrews Library President Kim Klapes said they host this party to celebrate the end of summer and promote school safety.
“All of this is for free for the community,” Klapes said.
She said she is grateful for the parents who come to the events always looking to be a part of it rather than just sit back.
“They actually engage with the kids, which is wonderful to see as well. And they can run around safe. It’s OK. Parents don’t have to worry too much because you have a lot of volunteers that watch out too,” Klapes said.
Phyllis Eichhorst was among those to take kids out to enjoy the party, explaining she was nannying 3-year-old, Madeline French and her 5-year-old sister, Audrey French. She said the party was a wonderful event.
“So many fun activities, the coloring, the face painting, the tattoos. And it’s nice to have the police officer here because a lot of the kids were afraid of like an officer, and he’s been really great just talking to the kids,” Eichhorst said.
She had nothing but praise for the library.
“It’s just so little and nice,” Eichhorst said.
Holding up Madeline French, who had a black widow painted on her cheek, Eichhorst asked if the spider was friendly or spooky.
“He’s a spooky spider,” Madeline French said.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.