Students and parents alike enjoyed hot dogs, soda and patriotic tunes in the Evarts Elementary School gym on Wednesday afternoon during a concert sponsored by the Clover Fork and Evarts Elementary Family Resources Youth Services Center (FRYSC).

A part of the first annual FRYSC summer literacy program, the concert featured the Louisville-based educational trio, the Wulfe Brothers, who entertained the crowd with lively patriotic music.

"(We perform) songs from the wars of our country, beginning with the Revolutionary War," said keyboard player Rodney Wulfe.

Their show, titled "Reflections of the American Spirit," helps children learn about American history. It has been performed at various schools and events throughout Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.

"We did the same show for the Secretary of the Army and several four and five star generals at Fort Knox in 1996," Rodney Wulfe said.

The Wulfe Brothers also performed at Black Mountain Elementary earlier Wednesday.

The concert isn't the only fun event students from Black Mountain Elementary School and Evarts Elementary School participating in the summer literacy program have attended this summer, though.

Every Monday and Wednesday since June 16, the FRYSC has been hosting "Monday Madness Storytime," where students complete reading activities and make crafts, and "Wacky Wednesdays," in which students and parents attend various educational workshops.

The purpose of the program is to promote both literacy and the development of positive attitudes about school.

According to the FRYSC, studies suggest that children who engage in such activities during summer vacation are better prepared for school the following semester.

"This program gives children something to do during the summer rather than get in trouble," said Lawrence Powell, coordinator of the Evarts Elementary School FRYSC.

The program also focuses on getting parents involved with their children's academic career.

"Parent involvement is usually a big obstacle here, but with this program we seem to be doing really well," Powell said.

Powell said that the average attendance during weekly activities was 15 to 20 students and parents, and that over 60 people attended the concert on Wednesday.

Many parents attending the concert had a positive opinion of the program.

"It is good to see people getting involved with the children, even during the summer. I love the motivation that the school and the parents have. I really enjoyed the concert, too," said Melinda Williams, who recently moved from Indiana to Evarts with her two children, Brandi and Summer.

The literacy program will conclude on July 25.