SCV Education Foundation and city officials “served up” books, music and the arts to the community at a food-themed Santa Clarita Literacy and Arts Festival on Saturday.

Hosted at the Old Town Newhall Library, an estimated 5,000 children experienced an afternoon of storytelling, music, interactive activities, exhibits and more at the eighth-annual event.

“This year our theme was ‘serving up books, music and the arts,’ so some of the activities are worked around different books about food,” said Ann Unger, executive director of the SCV Education Foundation. “It’s educational, but we don’t tell the kids that because it’s all about fun. Once you have fun with something, you’re going to pursue it.”

Dozens of vendors supporting literacy and music were lined up outside the library, where performers dressed up as books characters– including Snow White, pirates and others –posed for picture with children.

Several interactive storytelling stations were set up inside the building.

One station following the food theme gave children the opportunity to listen to the story “Stone Soup,” and then make their own stone soup afterward.

An “Unplugged Dining” area was also set up outside near several food trucks, giving families the opportunity to have a meal together with “no cell phones allowed.”

“We just want to (create) a fun atmosphere,” Unger said. “Hopefully once the children leave here, they’ll continue to read or want to play music and do other things besides video games and TV.”