Teddy bear lovers of all ages are invited to gather at the Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library on Sunday for a Teddy Bear Party sponsored by the Friends of the Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library.

The event will take place Nov. 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Holland Hall at the library.

Ricky A. Lenart, owner of the Teddy Bear House Museum in Picayune, will speak about his collection of over 20,000 bears and the history of the toy dating back to President Teddy Roosevelt.

“We’d like to try to encourage people to go to the museum and enjoy it since it’s here in Picayune,” Kathleen Holland, a founder of the Friends of the Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library, said.

Everyone is invited to the free program. Food and refreshments will be provided, Holland said.

Lenart will bring some bears from his own collection, including animated teddy bears from the museum, Holland said.

“We wanted to do something that was a lot of fun…and everybody loves teddy bears,” she said.

Holland said she has toured the museum three or four times, taking several of her family members along.

“I think everybody needs to support it because it’s a fabulous thing to have in Picayune,” she said.

Lenart placed some bears on display at the library before, but Holland said the event will be more entertaining and an interactive experience for the community.

Courtney Sheel Stover will play Teddy Bear music at the event, leading up to a Teddy Bear March where participants can show off their bears, Holland said.

“We’re inviting people to bring their own bears, old or new,” Holland said.

She said there will also be teddy bear themed favors and door prizes.

The museum also has a display at the Pearl River County Welcome Center on Interstate-59 North, Holland said.

“It’s going to be a fabulous event,” she said.