Spring Fling fundraiser is May 10

By Heidi Roman
C & G Staff Writer

FRASER — There’s no better time of year at the Fraser Public Library than spring. The library’s quaint garden comes alive with bright colors and the front doors are flung open to a new season. And with warmer weather comes an annual tradition at the library, the Spring Fling.

The Spring Fling is a fundraising event that families can attend for free. Kids will be entertained with clowns and animals, while adults can check out the treasures being sold inside. 

It’s a good time for residents who aren’t familiar with the library to visit and see what it has to offer.

“I know times are tough economically, so this is a nice, free event you can come to,” said Mary DeSantis, head of children’s services at the library.

For those who don’t mind spending a few dollars, there will be a bake sale, a white elephant sale and a used book sale. Slappy the Clown will make free balloon animals for kids, and children can get their faces painted for free before heading over to the petting zoo to meet some new friends.

“We’re so excited about the petting zoo this year. … It’s called Moo to You. I think that’s just darling,” DeSantis said. “They’ll have small farm animals, little goats, sheep, lambs and bunnies.”

The library hands out free popcorn all day, and ice cream is available for purchase. Attendees can also try their hand at a 50-50 raffle, and a Polish dance group will perform traditional dances in costume.

Some of the events are held outside of the library, so those who come should dress for the weather. The petting zoo will be held outside, rain or shine.

“We’re hoping for good weather,” DeSantis said. “This year we’re a week earlier than we were (before).”

When the weather cooperates, between 2,000 and 3,000 people can be expected to come to the Spring Fling, DeSantis said. The event is one of the library’s biggest fundraisers of the year, besides the Three Days of Christmas in the winter. All of the money raised from sales gets funneled back into the library to purchase new books and help support the programs that the library offers.

The Spring Fling is May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and different activities are scheduled for different times.

No tickets are necessary. Limited parking is available at the library, but attendees can also park at two nearby churches.

“We recommend local people walk or ride their bike, or get dropped off,” DeSantis said.

The library is located at 16330 14 Mile Road in Fraser, just west of Utica Road. For more information or specific times of activities, call the library at (586) 293-2055.

You can reach Staff Writer Heidi Roman at hroman@candgnews.com or at (586) 218-5006.