JOHN DAY — The Grant County Library’s summer program for youth has something for kids of all ages, from puppets to painting and science to magic, plus regular story times at area parks.

First up is Roseburg ventriloquist Steve Chaney, who will be performing at 2 p.m. June 12 at the Canyon City Community Hall, 129 S. Washington St.

Portland magician Spencer Sprocket will bring his feats of legerdemain to the Canyon City Community Hall at 2 p.m. on June 26.

At 2 p.m. on July 10, La Grande’s Dragon City Puppets will take their turn in the community hall with a highly interactive performance titled “Advanced Dungeons and Decisions.”

At 11:30 a.m. on July 23, the scene shifts to the Seventh Street Sports Complex on Northeast Seventh Avenue in John Day for “Where Sunshine Meets Science,” a hands-on learning presentation by GO STEM, the Greater Oregon STEM Hub.

Participants will learn about UV light, energy and molecules as they choose from a variety of craft projects that change color in the sunlight.

Finally, at 1 p.m. July 31, the program returns to the Canyon City Community Hall, where Burns artist MaryLou Wilhelm will teach a class in watercolor painting. (This event requires advance signup at the library, 507 S. Canyon Blvd. in John Day.)

This summer’s program is more extensive than usual thanks to a regional collaboration, according to Chris Ostberg, Grant County’s head librarian.

“We have partnered with the Harney County Library and the Prineville Library,” Ostberg said, “because the performers usually come out of Portland and it is much easier if they can do a loop.”

Assistant librarian Dovie Wood will lead weekly story times at three parks around the county this summer:

• 1:15 p.m. on Mondays, June 17-Aug. 5, Phil Boyd Memorial Park, 322 SE Council Drive, Mt. Vernon.

• Noon on Tuesdays, June 18-Aug. 6, Seventh Street Sports Complex, Northeast Seventh Avenue, John Day.

• 1:15 p.m. on Wednesdays (or Thursday if Wednesday is a holiday), City Park, South Bridge Street, Prairie City.

“I go where the kids are,” Wood said. “I take books to give away, I take a craft and I take games.”

To make the John Day story times more interesting, Wood has assigned a different theme to each week, with prizes awarded for participation:

• June 18: Twin Tuesday (dress like a friend).

• June 25: Tie-Dye Tuesday (wear a tie-dyed shirt).

• July 2: Totally Patriotic Tuesday (dress to celebrate the Fourth of July).

• July 9: Teddy Bear Tuesday (bring your favorite teddy bear).

• July 16: Tropical Tuesday (wear a Hawaiian shirt).

• July 23: Travel Tuesday (dress as a tourist).

• July 30: Tennis Shoe Tuesday (wear your craziest tennis shoes).

• Aug. 6: Tournament Tuesday (wear your favorite team gear).

All events are free.

Funding for the library’s summer programs comes from a Ready to Read grant provided by the state library, Ostberg said.

The library also receives support from the Grant County Library, which enables the hiring of high school interns to help out in a variety of capacities.

“It helps the younger kids read way better when they have interaction with the older kids,” Ostberg said.