Pike Township Schools will kick off a new literacy program to embrace the schools and community.

District literacy specialist Jennifer Wheat and Pike Performing Arts Center technical director Jared Duymovic designed the Literacy Fair Series, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday with an evening of storytelling at the arts center.

Six storytellers from Young Audiences of Indiana will entertain audiences at the free event called “A Community of Stories.”

On Friday, the series will continue with literacy night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Pike High School. The open house setting will include puppet shows, singing, poetry, an Internet caf, karaoke, dance, finger painting and games.

“I think a lot of times when people think of literacy, they think of reading and writing,” Wheat said.

The event also will help bring residents of the community into the high school and adjacent Pike Performing Arts Center, Duymovic said.

“It’s a chance for people to see each other and interact — young and old alike,” Duymovic said.

The series also will have events Jan. 22 and April 30.