Charlotte, NC - The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (ADAM-1) will host a community Safety Festival and Bicycle Safety Rodeo in September of every year. The goal of the festival is to educate the non-English-speaking residents of Mecklenburg County about safety - bicycles, guns, fire, etc. There will also be information about the importance of good nutrition. Park and Recreation and CMPD will give away dozens of bicycle helmets

Meckfest offers safety checks, free child immunizations, free STD and HIV testing, and free adult health screenings. Then there’s the free family fun stuff: live music, a petting zoo, pony rides, games and prizes, a puppet show and roaming mascots and jugglers. The festival is a local celebration of National County Government Week, which runs around April every year with the theme, “Counties Care for Kids.” In keeping with the theme, Meckfest will feature a health pavilion where parents can get health screenings and immunizations for their children, and a car seat safety check station where parents can find out if their children’s car seats are properly installed.

Held each October since 1991, the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County's award-winning Novello Festival of Reading is a celebration of reading and books including presentations by best selling authors and other reading-related activities. WordPlay Saturday is an integral part of Novello. Held on the first Saturday during Novello, this family-driven street festival includes stage acts, author appearances and autographing, themed activity areas, writing workshops, music, storytelling and more.