For many years, Breckenridge, Colo., has been well known for its ski resorts, year-round alpine activities and Gold Rush history.

The town, which is over two hours west of Denver, has also been popular for a stuffed animal sleepover event that is held at its local library.

That’s where Montgomery City native Judy Hunt came up with the idea of bringing a stuffed animal sleepover to the Montgomery City Public Library several years ago.

“They bring their animals to their regular story hour and make masks because library lights can stay on all night,” Hunt said. “It doesn’t have to be a teddy bear. They can put them wherever they want their animals to sleep in the library.”

MCPL held its annual Stuffed Animal Sleepover from Oct. 16-23. Children dropped off their stuffed animals at one of the storytime sessions on Oct. 16 and Oct. 21. They picked up their stuffed animals during the storytime session on Oct. 23. Hunt sponsored the event.

“My part in this is I have a friend who makes T-shirts, so they will get a T-shirt with Montgomery City Library written on the back,” Hunt said. “They’ll get a bag to carry and a little book that the children’s librarian selects.”

Hunt said the event’s mission is to have the children look at the library as a fun and safe place.

“I got the idea one time from JoAnn Reagan, a friend of mine,” she said. “She talked about the time a little girl whose mom forgot to pick her up from somewhere. She came to the library at 4 or 5 years old. They (the librarians) started talking to her and figuring it out. They had her sit down and wait while they called her mom. If all kids knew that if something happened and needed a safe place to be, the library is right there. That was on the back of my mind.”

Hunt said staff members, including director Gaylee Harris, have been very helpful during the one-week event.

“They’re so resourceful there,” Hunt said. “They actually do a video with the animals playing with the popcorn machine. It’s a little video story that they give the kids to look at to see what their animals did overnight while they stayed at the library. The kids loved it.”

Hunt said the future goal of the Stuffed Animal Sleepover is to make it a popular event at MCPL every year.

“We’re gradually getting more and more kids, but I would be happy to see it grow a little bit more,” Hunt said.

A graduate of Montgomery County High School in 1964, Hunt lives in Colorado and has property in Montgomery City. She said she visits the Montgomery City area three times a month.

“When I was quite small, my parents bought houses and had little rental properties around town, which were my college education in the making,” said Hunt, who is a retired teacher from the Wentzville School District. “I still have a couple of those left that I haven’t sold. My cousin picks me up at the airport and brings me out here. I keep a car here most of the time.”