Washington’s Southwest Neighborhood Library celebrated its fifth anniversary on Thursday with birthday-themed crafts for children and a drag queen story hour.
“Expect a full on birthday vibe with family friendly fun, good energy, and neighbors coming together to celebrate a space that is truly ours,” D.C. Public Library said on social media.
The afternoon event included snacks, party hats, face painting, giveaways, a tap dance performance and a bilingual drag queen.
Drag queen story hours are often a political flashpoint, with advocates saying they highlight inclusivity and opponents saying they are inappropriate for children.
Capitol Hill will get its own shoutout during the celebration.
Children’s author Kitty Felde, an award-winning public radio journalist, led an interactive discussion of her latest book, “Snake in the Grass.” The main character, the 10-year-old daughter of a California congressman named Fina, solves mysteries on Capitol Hill with a dog named Senator Something.
The Southwest Waterfront neighborhood’s library initially opened inside the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Junior High School building in 1940 until it moved into its own dedicated building in 1965.
Then came the Southwest Neighborhood Library in 2021.
“Now it is time to celebrate five years of this new era!” D.C. Public Library said on social media.
