A CELEBRATION OF BOOKS, STORIES, AND THE JOY OF READING

Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
United Way Building - Pipsqueaks Indoor Play Zone
903 West Center St
Rochester, MN 55902

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

IMAGINATION STATIONS

Creative, book-themed activities that spark curiosity and encourage kids to explore new worlds. Picture a petting zoo inspired by Llama Llama, a fencing demonstration inspired by Not All Princesses Dress in Pink, and a cookie decorating station inspired by Buffalo Fluffalo.

FREE BOOKS

Children who visit every station will take home a free book from our Imagination Library program, keeping the joy of reading alive long after the event.

BOOK NOOK

A space for storytime and special literacy presentations from local authors and notable individuals. 

IMAGINATION STATIONS

Step into Imagination Stations—hands-on, book-inspired activity booths hosted by amazing local organizations, businesses, nonprofits, and community groups!

Wander from station to station, get creative, and collect a special stamp at every stop. Fill your stamp booklet, turn it in, and head home with a free book!

THE PIGEON LOVES THINGS THAT GO! (EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILY SERVICES)

Explore ramps and tubes with cars, balls, trains, wheels, and axles—experimenting with motion, speed, and how things go!

PETE THE CAT: I LOVE MY WHITE SHOES (FAMILIES FIRST)

Design your own white shoe and go on a fun “stepping” adventure—just like Pete!

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR (FAMILY SERVICE ROCHESTER & FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER)

Create your own Very Hungry Caterpillar and “feed” it a variety of fruits and vegetables.

SALAMANDER DANCE (FRIENDS OF QUARRY HILL)

Meet a live salamander, explore model salamander eggs, guide a salamander through a maze, and create your own spotted salamander to take home.

LIFE DOESN'T FRIGHTEN ME (GRIOT ARTS)

Celebrate courage and confidence by designing and decorating your crown!

THE WORLD NEEDS MORE PURPLE SCHOOLS (O2B KIDS)

Make purple glitter slime and explore hands-on sensory materials—celebrating all things purple!

GARDENING WITH ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY

Create tissue paper flowers and learn about seeds, plants, and how things grow.

GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE (SPARK)

Build with blocks, nuts, and bolts, and enjoy construction-themed dress-up fun.

KNIGHT OWL (SOUTH YOUTH FENCING ALLIANCE)

Watch exciting fencing demonstrations, learn about the sport of fencing, and even take a stab at it yourself!

IMAGINATION LIBRARY PROGRAM

Proceeds from Imagination Fest benefit United Way's operation of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Each year, this program delivers 42,000 free books to over 4,300 children in Olmsted County.

Not all families have the resources to build a home library. That's why United Way provides free, age-appropriate books each month to Olmsted County kids ages 0-5.

Thousands of local families benefit from the Imagination Library program. The simple act of reading builds vocabulary, sparks imagination, and creates a strong bond between parent and child. Attending, sponsoring, or donating toward Imagination Fest helps local children have access to books, promotes early child literacy, and creates a lifelong love of learning for our youngest neighbors.