OLD ORCHARD BEACH — On Saturday, the Libby Memorial Library in Old Orchard Beach hosted a children’s holiday party, where families celebrated the holidays by building gingerbread houses, participating in a candy cane scavenger hunt, playing Christmas bingo and getting their picture taken by the fireplace with Santa and Mrs. Clause.

Lee Koenigs, director of the Libby Memorial Library in Old Orchard Beach, said the event was meant to combine reading with good memories. Children could play bingo with the chance to win a free book or they could simply snack at the food table and sit with Santa. With a turn-out of approximately 20 children, Koenigs said that she felt fortunate to have the space available for everyone.

“Last year we were in temporary housing, so there wasn’t space to have one child, let alone five,” she said. “Prior to that year, we did have this event. Again we were in one room and it was challenging. This is the first year with dedicated space for plenty of people where kids don’t feel crowded.”

The room was spacious; evenly spaced tables hosted a variety of activities – a toddler played bingo with her father while an 8-year-old boy and his mother decorated a gingerbread house. Santa and Mrs. Clause greeted each child as they entered and the children squirmed excitedly at the thought of meeting them.

A long table in the back hosted a variety of snacks such as chips, homemade cookies and candies for the attendees. Koenigs said that the food was provided by a volunteer group named “Friends,” who have been helpful in raising money for events such as this one.

“We’re just here celebrating the holidays,” said Billie Betit, a resident of Old Orchard Beach. Her daughter Amelia sat contentedly on her lap carefully frosting a gingerbread house. “We come down here often to explore different books and to participate in the activities they offer.”

Randa Thomas and her young neighbor Maria Caron organized candies around a miniature graham cracker door. Thomas explained that they also spend a lot of time in the library and were thrilled to join the event.

“I think this is so fun and I am going to bring my candy house home,” exclaimed Caron in delight. “I want to play bingo too, because if you win you get a free book. I want to come back next year too!”

Throughout the year, the library hosts a variety of other events for youngsters. For more information, visit their website at www.ooblibrary.org or call them at 934- 4351.

— Krysteana Scribner can be reached at 282-1535.