The community is celebrating the life and works of Theodor Seuss Geisel, or simply Dr. Seuss. The celebration kicked off Wednesday at Yellow Creek School Center with Dr. Seuss Day.

According to Director of Yellow Creek Family Resources Center Patricia West, the school has been celebrating the life and works of Dr. Seuss for 20 years, and it gets more exciting each year.

“It’s a fun day, especially for the kids,” West explained. “It’s kind of a laid back day today, and this year we are going up to fifth grade.”

The school has approximately 700 students and they have never extended the celebration up to fifth grade until this year.

“Our readers come in and start at 8 (a.m.), and we have refreshments for them and a special lunch for the readers here during lunchtime,” she said.

Dr. Seuss Birthday is March 2 and the celebration will continue Saturday at the mall when Read Across America is held nationwide.

“We will set up and have people there that dress as Thing 1 and Thing 2 and an appearance from the Cat in the Hat,” West said. “We do a display and will give out treat bags. It’s just a fun day.”

West said that Yellow Creek School Center will be set up in front of the former He Hu Darz location in the Middlesboro Mall.

The Read Across America Event is hosted by the Children’s Reading Foundation of Appalachia Kentucky.

The Children’s Reading Foundation in the Middlesboro Mall is full of free books for kids, and also includes educational exhibits, information and table activities.

The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Middlesboro Mall.