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Story time at Mars Area Public Library

Engineer Bob Lang, of Franklin Park, takes guest on a train ride on Wednesday morning at the Mars Train Station after Story Time by the Mars Area Public Library. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

The Mars Area Public Library conducted story time at the Mars Train Station on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

About 50 children and their parents filed into the train station to read books and sing songs before boarding the train for a loop — or two loops for some especially excited children — on the railroad at 1 Brickyard Road.

Giovanni, Aquilina, 6, of Cranberry, smiles as Jennifer Ford the children's librarian for the Mars Area Public library leads a sing along on Wednesday morning at the Mars Train Station for Story Time by the Mars Area Public Library. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

“They were more than accommodating, so some kids got second turns on the couple minute ride,” Mars Area Public Library’s children’s librarian Jen Ford said.

The Wednesday venue-change marked the third time the library moved a story time to the train station. It’s something the library aims to do every September, according to Ford.

“The kids just love it … and it’s very important to work with the community. I feel with us there, it’s bringing attention to the station, which helps them, but it helps us, too.”

State Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-12th, reads a book to guests on Wednesday morning at the Mars Train Station for Story Time by the Mars Area Public Library. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

The event began on a pavilion with the reading of train-themed books and a few singalongs. Prior to the opportunity for train rides, Ford and state Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-12th, read “Chugga Chugga Choo Choo” by Emma Garcia and “Trains Go” by Steve Light.

Children sang along to songs, including “I’ve been Working on the Railroad,” “Down by the Station” and “Choo Choo Train.”

“The kids love trains. The songs that gets them all riled up, and then, you see how they get excited with the sounds, seeing the little train sitting there,” Ford said.

While waiting for their turn on the train, children kept busy playing with two train tables. Families could also look at a red caboose on display or visit the gift shop.

The Mars Train Station will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays through the end of the October.

Wyatt Vimmerman, 5, of Mars, listens as State Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-12th, reads a book to guests on Wednesday morning at the Mars Train Station for Story Time by the Mars Area Public Library. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Jennifer Ford the children's librarian for the Mars Public library reads a book to guest on Wednesday morning at the Mars Train Station for Story Time by the Mars Area Public Library. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Families take part in the Story Time on Wednesday morning at the Mars Train Station as books are read and songs are sung. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 9/13/23
State Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-12th, and her son Teddy, 2, read a book to guests on Wednesday morning at the Mars Train Station for Story Time by the Mars Area Public Library. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

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