A day of art and animals in Valley Stream

First they colored. Then they petted. Children who came to the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library’s annual sidewalk chalk art show last Saturday afternoon got a double dose of fun.

As kids came to the program, they were given a handful of chalk and a blank canvas — the sidewalk between Village Hall and the library. More than 50 children took part in the chalk show, leaving behind a colorful reminder of the annual activity. Some children drew the sun and rainbows, others depicted their house while some chose to draw their favorite cartoon characters.

By the end, most pieces of chalk were down to just a nub and children were rewarded with participation certificates.

Then it was time for the animals. Jason Reilly, from Green Meadows Farm, a petting zoo in Floral Park, brought a variety of animals for the children to see. He introduced them to Stickers the frog, Tickles the hedgehog, and Long Underwear, a baby snake.

Children were then able to go and pet the animals, which included a goat, pig, chicken and rabbit. And perhaps something more to see than to pet were insects such as crickets.