Rootle Block Party: UNC-TV plans hour-long special for kids

At the NC State Fair each year and elsewhere across North Carolina, Rootle, UNC-TV's PBS Kids Channel, host family-friendly block parties that feature some of its most popular characters.

Those in-person gatherings can't happen right now with the COVID-19 pandemic, so Rootle is going virtual and bringing its popular event from "the block to the box," as a press release says.

The program will be 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 19, on Rootle.

Guests and partners for the show include:

• Talented cellist Shana Tucker of Durham, a longtime teaching artist.
• The Little GERMinators, a N.C.-based hygiene program designed for young kids.
• Mr. Scooter, a storyteller, rapper and children's librarian from Wilmington.
• Read-a-roo, Rootle's mascot.
• Pierce Freelon of Durham, who recently released his first children's album.

The hour will include sing-alongs, educational games and more.

More information is on UNC-TV's website.