Read by the River is an education fair developed to promote the importance of early childhood literacy.
– Photo by Benjamin Preis

The New England Patriots’ Logan Ryan read to a large group of children at Tufts University Hillel’s annual Read by the River on Sunday, March 9.

More than 850 elementary school students from Somerville and Medford attended the education fair in the Gantcher Center at Tufts University.

Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan read to the crowd and sign autographs for the students.

Developed to promote the importance of early childhood literacy, volunteers from Tufts University and the surrounding area brought elementary school students together for this afternoon celebration. The theme of this year’s fair, “Carnival,” included booths set up with games and arts and crafts, many with a literary focus, as well as a scavenger hunt and bean bag toss.

Read by the River is a Tufts Hillel initiative that is made possible by many sponsors, including the New England Patriots, National Amusements, Scholastic, city of Medford, Medford fire and police departments, and the city of Somerville. Local bookstores, Scholastic and Tufts students have donated books for the event and National Amusements has donated free movie passes.