Families heading to the Lake Oswego Library's End of Summer Party on Wednesday, Aug. 5, should note a venue change: the celebration has moved from Rossman Park to inside the library at 706 4th St.

The free, drop-in party runs from 2 to 3 p.m. and caps eight consecutive Wednesday afternoon programs the library hosted at Rossman Park this summer as part of the Summer Library Challenge 2026.

Two performers headline the hour. Red Yarn, the stage name of Portland-based musician Andy Furgeson, blends folk, rock, country, and blues with handmade animal puppets — a cast of about 20 "critters" that interact with the audience. Furgeson has performed at Pickathon, Wolf Trap National Park, and libraries across the country, and his albums have earned NAPPA Gold and Parents' Choice awards.

"Audiences can expect a lively show with a lot of participation through singing, dancing, stomping, clapping and interacting with the critters," Furgeson said in a 2013 interview with Kids Can Groove, describing the high-energy, participatory format he brings to library shows.

The Balloon Ninja rounds out the lineup with balloon artistry, and the library promises games, crafts, and more.

Summer Library Challenge continues through August

The party marks the social finale of the challenge, but kids and teens can keep logging reading and activities through Monday, Aug. 31. This year's theme is "Plant a Seed, Read."

Kids ages 0–10 earn points toward raffle tickets for a Grand Prize Drawing (60 points equals one ticket).

Teens ages 11–18 can win weekly prize drawings for $20 Powell's gift cards, Ace Hardware gift cards, and other prizes. Anyone who signs up and visits the library can pick up a free brand-new book.

The Summer Library Challenge is sponsored by the Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library. Families can register at lopl.readsquared.com.

For questions about Wednesday's party, contact the Children's desk at 503-697-6580.

Upcoming at the library