New England Patriots Cornerback Logan Ryan Will Join Local Children at Tufts' "Read by the River" Event

MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. – More than 850 elementary school students from Somerville and Medford are expected to attend Tufts Hillel's 14th annual "Read by the River" education fair, taking place Sunday, March 9, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. in the Gantcher Center at Tufts University. New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan will be in attendance to read to the crowd and sign autographs for the students.

WHAT:
Developed to promote the importance of early childhood literacy, volunteers from Tufts University and the surrounding area will bring elementary school students together for this afternoon celebration. The theme of this year's fair, "Carnival," will include booths set up with games and arts and crafts, many with a literary focus, as well as a scavenger hunt and bean bag toss.

WHO:

• Students in kindergarten through fifth grade (more than 850 expected to attend)
• New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (scheduled to appear at 1:00 p.m. to read to the crowd and sign autographs for students)
• 200 + volunteers from Tufts University, the fire department from the city of Medford  and the Medford library

WHEN:
Sunday, March 9, 2014, from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

WHERE:
Tufts University, Gantcher Center, 161 College Avenue, Medford, Mass.

SPONSORS:
"Read by the River" is a Tufts Hillel initiative that is made possible by many sponsors, including the New England Patriots, National Amusements, Scholastic, city of Medford, Medford fire and police departments, and the city of Somerville. Local books stores, Scholastic and Tufts students have donated books for the event and National Amusements has donated free movie passes.

Tufts University, located on three Massachusetts campuses in Boston, Medford/Somerville, and Grafton, and in Talloires, France, is recognized among the premier research universities in the United States. Tufts enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence and for the preparation of students as leaders in a wide range of professions. A growing number of innovative teaching and research initiatives span all campuses, and collaboration among the faculty and students in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs across the university is widely encouraged.