Join us this Monday, July 6 at Windmill Island Gardens for the continuation of our popular
children’s summer series, Books and Blooms, and the kickoff to the all-new Food Truck Mondays series!
Every Monday through August 10, our friends from the Herrick District Library will kick off each Books and
Blooms with a story time starting at 10:00 am followed by a fun hands-on activity led by community
partners starting at 10:30 am! Families can enjoy activities and learn about things like planting, water
conservation, wind, pollinators, and more! After the hands-on activity families can also enjoy our carousel
and playground and on Mondays in July only, even grab lunch from two local food trucks!
This Monday, July 6 during Books and Blooms, our friends from Outdoor Discovery Center will help kids
learn about the relationship between native plants and improved water quality with fun activities, like
looking at aquatic insects, making pollinators, and seeing healthy roots and soil. Children can enjoy
coloring, make-their-own-buttons, and more!
The ODC Network is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that strives to advance outdoor
education and conservation in West Michigan. Since 2000, ODC Network has served more than 1.3
million people through hands-on, outdoor learning experiences and conserved thousands of acres of
native habitat through restoration and preservation projects. To achieve our mission, 12 business
divisions create the ODC Network. Our vision is building a better community by connecting people, land
and nature.
Families are invited to Windmill Island Gardens every Monday morning for our weekly Books
and Blooms series from 10:00 am – 11:30 am through August 10. This weekly Books and Blooms
series will begin with an interactive Story Time hosted by the Herrick District Library starting at 10:00 am,
followed by a come-and-go style activity led by a local non-profit organization from 10:30 am until 11:30
am. The full schedule of activities can be found below, and on the Books and Blooms Facebook event
page. Activities are free to attend for all; just mention you are there for the series at the admission booth.
A parent or guardian must remain onsite the entire time to supervise their children. Activities take place in
the park on the East side of the Posthouse building at Windmill Island Gardens (1 Lincoln Ave, Holland,
MI, 49423).
To kick off the all-new Food Truck Monday Series on Monday July 6, find good eats with Tarriko Taqueria
and Shnack Trap from 11:00am – 2:00pm! Tarriko Taqueria is based right out of Holland, Michigan and
owned by siblings who value the flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine where their name comes from the
creative twist of ‘Taco’ and ‘Rico’ showing their dedication to serving delicious food. In Spanish, they often
say ‘ta rico’ to express how delightful something is, and they can’t wait for you to try their food! Find a
variety of delicious tacos, quesadillas, rice bowls, horchata, and so much more on their menu! Shnack
Trap, another Holland, Michigan based favorite, offers a wide variety of Mexican American street food with options from smash burgers & fries to burritos to agua frescas to wings to Philly cheesesteaks, and
more! Stay and eat in our picnic shelter, have a picnic in the park, or take your lunch to go, every
Monday, all July long!
The community is invited to Windmill Island Gardens for lunch every Monday in July for our all-new
weekly series from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm through July 27. No park admission is required to access the food
trucks. Grab your lunch and sit down to enjoy in our picnic shelter, take your lunch to go, or even bring
your meal inside the park for a picnic! For those who dine inside the park, regular admission rates apply
of $13 per adult and $6 for youth 3-15. As usual, Holland, Michigan residents can enter the park free with
proof of residency!
For more details on Books and Blooms, Food Truck Mondays, and other upcoming events at Windmill
Island Gardens, visit www.windmillisland.com/events-and-programs. Windmill Island Gardens is
open daily from 9:30am – 6:00pm (last admission sold at 5:00pm) through October 4.
Upcoming Books & Blooms and Food Truck Monday Dates
Monday, July 13
Holland Parks and Recreation – Yard Games and Planting: Decorate personal-sized pots and plant seeds
with Holland Parks and Recreation! Take home your new plant and enjoy caring for it while watching it
grow. Holland Parks and Recreation will provide all necessary materials as well as supply fun yard games
and activities for all Books and Bloom participants to enjoy!
Food Truck Mondays:
PAC Pizzeria
Golla Authentic Mexican
Monday, July 20
Holland Board of Public Works - Native Plants and Water Conservation: BPW will teach kids about how
native plants help with water conservation through crafting a guide on plant needs! Kids will match words
and pictures to learn the steps to plant care. Cut, draw, color and fold these engaging guides to learn
what a plant needs as you unfold!
Food Truck Mondays:
StrEATs Tacos
The Pudgy Panda
Monday, July 27
Aqua Tots Swim School – Scoop and Splash & Under the Sea Bookmarks: This is a hands-on activity
where kids use cups and scoops to pour, splash, and play in water that is held in mini-inflatable pools.
There will be fun mini challenges like moving water from one bucket to the next and scoop up as many
ducks as you can in 5 seconds. For those who don't want to play in water, there will also be a create your
own under the sea bookmark station!
Food Truck Mondays:
Inspired Eats
The Falafel Truck
Monday, August 3
MSU Extension 4-H – Egg Carton Seed Starters: Kids will get to start their own herb garden by planting seeds in an egg carton so they can take them home to grow! The egg carton provides just enough room
for these seeds to start growing and makes it easy to move your garden indoor or outdoor!
Monday, August 10
Explore Hope – A Garden to Save the Birds: Join Explore hope in making “seed bombs” for families to
take home and place in their garden supporting birds, insects and pollinators! This activity promotes
planting wildflowers to support the ecosystem as well as promoting awareness of how to make your yard
and garden more bird and pollinator friendly.
