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Kit Killingsworth puts a volunteer inside of a bubble during one of her shows to kickoff the Helena Summer Reading program on Wednesday, June 6. (Reporter Photos/Keith McCoy)

By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–It was bubbles galore at Helena City Hall on Wednesday, June 6, as the beginning of summer vacation also meant the kickoff to the Helena Summer Reading program.

Dozens of children and their parents packed Helena City Hall for two shows as Kit Killingsworth presented “Miss Kit’s Bubble Show” to celebrate the fun of reading and using imagination.

Killingsworth has performed her bubble shows in several states across the southeast including Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida and this summer she will perform her 300^th show.

Killingsworth said her love of bubbles began as a child through a book and also a device her dad made to create large bubbles. Once graduating college, she realized she could do more with bubbles.

“When I was in college I learned to do balloon animals and face painting and that business just kind of grew and I just realized there was no one doing a bubble show and I developed it for the library programs,” Killingsworth said.

At the Helena Summer Reading program, Killingsworth did a variety of tricks with bubbles including using household items to make bubbles, making bubble hats, a bubble ice cream float and even putting two volunteers inside of large bubbles.

Killingsworth provided tips on how to make bubbles and shared her secret bubble recipe with children and parents that consists of one gallon of tap water, two cups of Dawn dish detergent and two tablespoons of glycerin.

When it comes to bubbles, Killingsworth said she feels like everyone has a sense of wonder and curiosity.

“I like the little kid’s reactions and everyone has a sense of wonder when it comes to bubbles,” Killingsworth said. “But, I think my favorite is when I do a teen workshop and you get teenagers that show up and are kind of surly about bubbles. By the end they’re so excited and they’re trying to figure out how to do them on their own and using things around them to make bubbles. It just gives you a sense of discovery.”

The Helena Summer Reading program will last several more weeks and participants will be eligible for prizes the more books they read. Some highlights of the summer reading program will include a program inspired by science from the McWane Center, “Wizzle’s New Beat” puppet show, a visit with the Helena fire and police departments and the closeout celebration featuring musician Jim Aycock.

The remaining schedule for the summer reading program is as follows:

–June 13–McWane Science Center Program–10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

–June 20– “Wizzle’s New Beat” Puppet Show–10:30 a.m.

–June 27–Visit with the fire department–2:30 p.m.

–July 11–Visit with the police department–2:30 p.m.

–July 18–Summer reading closeout celebration featuring musician Jim Aycock–2:30 p.m.

In addition to the summer reading program, the Jane B. Holmes library will also host Lego fun on June 18, July 2 and July 16.

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