Nevaeh DeDa, AKA “Princess Violet,” reads from “The World Needs More Purple People” during Sunday’s Drag Story Time hosted by Queer NEPA in Kirby Park.
                                 Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

Nevaeh DeDa, AKA “Princess Violet,” reads from “The World Needs More Purple People” during Sunday’s Drag Story Time hosted by Queer NEPA in Kirby Park.

Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

Event aims to spread literacy, love and acceptance

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<p>Megan Lynn Thomas was the day’s first reader, choosing “A Halloween Scare in Pennsylvania” for her story. In the background are Justice Twist-Valentine (left) and Fawn Contreras.</p>
                                 <p>Kevin Carroll | Times Leader</p>

Megan Lynn Thomas was the day’s first reader, choosing “A Halloween Scare in Pennsylvania” for her story. In the background are Justice Twist-Valentine (left) and Fawn Contreras.

Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

<p>A number of children’s books were selected by the event’s audience and read aloud by a trio of drag queens and kings.</p>
                                 <p>Kevin Carroll | Times Leader</p>

A number of children’s books were selected by the event’s audience and read aloud by a trio of drag queens and kings.

Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

WILKES-BARRE — In a celebration of both love and literacy, Queer NEPA held its first-ever Drag Story Time in Kirby Park on Sunday, with children and parents invited to listen to classic childhood stories read by a trio of local drag queens and kings.

Fawn Contreras, who handles the social media for Queer NEPA, was excited to see the turnout for Story Time, even on a chilly, somewhat rainy Sunday afternoon.

“We’ve never done anything like this before,” Conteras said. “I want to promote literacy among our children, as well as a culture of love and acceptance.”

A table underneath the pavilion where Story Time was held contained a sprawling collection of children’s books, featuring some classics like Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree” along with some titles like “Walter the Farting Dog” and “The World Needs More Purple People.”

The latter selection was appropriate for one of the event’s readers: Nevaeh DeDa, who goes by “Princess Violet,” all dressed up in a dazzling purple dress.

DeDa has been doing drag for 13 years, perhaps most notably being named Miss NEPA PrideFest in 2015.

Both DeDa and a second guest drag queen, Megan Lynn Thomas from Clarks Summit, have plenty of experience on stage.

“We’re both theater people,” Thomas said. “I’ve always had so much fun doing this.”

Thomas was first up to read, choosing a selection titled “A Halloween Scare in Pennsylvania.”

Outside of the reading, there was plenty for the children to do, including treat bags for everyone and some coloring packets, as well.

Contreras also had some plans to liven up the entertainment, sprinkling in some dance numbers in between books to encourage the kids to get up and get moving.

First, it was “Baby Shark”; later, it was a rendition of “Wheels on the Bus,” instead called “The Hips on the Drag Queen.”

Whether it was reading, dancing, coloring or just hanging out, the smiles on the faces of everyone involved were constant throughout the afternoon.

Attendees were encouraged to dress up, and a number of children came in costume.

Olive and Clover Yost came dressed as quite the unique tandem: Jojo Siwa, and a wolf.

“I think they were most excited about dressing up,” said the children’s mother Jennifer. “We were so glad to see something like this happening around here, it’s awesome.”

Contreras expressed her desire to make Drag Story Time a recurring event, mentioning that she has a few future events in the works.

The day’s third reader, Justice Twist-Valentine, summed up exactly why an event like Sunday’s matters when asked why they initially got into drag culture.

“It’s important to show these kids that they don’t have to follow the same steps through life as everyone else,” they said.

“This is a break from mundane life for all of us, and I love it.”