Staff report

The Lafayette-Oxford-University Excel By 5 Coalition, in collaboration with United Way of Oxford & Lafayette County, will host a Community Play Date at 10 a.m. Saturday at the University of Mississippi’s Jackson Avenue Center.

The event is free and open to the public, but it specifically targets families with children ages 5 years and younger.

Materials at the event will be provided by generous local partners as well as the new Excel by 5 Lending Library, which is located at the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library and is open during the library’s normal business hours.

The usual array of age-appropriate activities, toys, games, and books will be available for families to enjoy. In addition, light snacks will be on hand for children, while parents will have the opportunity to network as well as take home free books and resources.

The JAC is located at 1111 Jackson Ave. West, next to the Malco Oxford Studio Cinema.

For more information, call the United Way at 662-236-4265.