Four mascots will take over the Clermont County Public Library's Miami Township Branch in Milford on Sept. 12, for a free meet-and-greet aimed at families.

Twister and Puckchop from the Cincinnati Cyclones, Xavier University's D'Artagnan the Musketeer and the library's own Browser will pose for photos from 11 a.m. to noon at the branch, 5920 Buckwheat Road, the library announced, according to the Clermont Guardian.

The library encouraged visitors to bring a camera.

Beyond the photo ops, the branch is running a scavenger hunt. Families who complete it earn prizes including buttons and stickers, the library said.

The visit is part of September's America250-Ohio theme, "Ohio Plays: Sports & Wellness," according to the Clermont Guardian. The Clermont County Public Library (CCPL) has hosted free America250 events monthly throughout the year as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, according to the library's website. September's theme spotlights Ohio's sports culture across youth leagues and professional teams.

Puckchop, a pig mascot, debuted in 2015 as a nod to Cincinnati's meatpacking history, according to the Cyclones, an ECHL minor league hockey team based at Heritage Bank Center. Twister is the team's wind-themed mascot. Xavier's D'Artagnan dates to 1925, when the Rev. Francis J. Finn proposed the Musketeer to reflect the university's French heritage. The character first appeared at a Xavier sporting event in 1965, and Xavier remains the only NCAA Division I program to use the Musketeer as its mascot, according to the university.

CCPL Director Andrea Brofft said in her first Director's Note in July that she wants to strengthen the library's ties across Clermont County. "I'm excited to become the Director of the Clermont County Public Library and to continue working to connect all ten of our Library branches to our Clermont County community," Brofft wrote in the July announcement.

No registration is required.

Upcoming community events

  • Saturday, Sept. 12: Mascot meet-and-greet, 11 a.m. to noon, Miami Township Branch, 5920 Buckwheat Road, Milford. Free.
  • Thursday, Sept. 17: Loveland homecoming parade closes downtown streets.
  • Monday, Oct. 5: Loveland brush pickup and leaf collection begins.