Mary Badham, who played Scout in the movie version of To Kill a Mockingbird, will be in town Monday, October 26 to correspond with The Big Read.

Badham was 10-years-old when she appeared along side Gregory Peck in the Academy Award-winning movie. She was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar, the youngest actress ever nominated at the time. In addition to her acclaimed role in To Kill a Mockingbird, Badham also appeared in The Bewitchin’ Pool and the final episode of The Twilight Zone.

She now works as an art restorer and a college testing coordinator. Badham continues to travel around the world, speaking to groups about the messages of tolerance and compassion in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Her visit to Jackson County will include stops at Ripley High Monday morning, Rav-enswood High on Monday afternoon, and Epworth United Methodist Monday evening.

Monday evening’s event is open to the public. The event is free. Her presentation will be followed by a question and answer time. She will also be selling autographs.

Badham’s visit follows multiple showings of the movie To Kill a Mockingbird this weekend. The movie will be shown Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 25 at 2 p.m. at the Alpine Theatre and Sunday, October 25 at 6 p.m. at Ravenswood Riverfront Park. In the event of rain, the movie will be shown at the Ravenswood High Auditorium.

The movie is free, but the libraries ask those interested in attending call ahead to reserve a place as seating is limited.

The movie and Mary Badham’s visit are the final events being held as part of the Big Read. For more information about the Big Read, call the Ripley Library at 372-5343 or the Ravenswood Library at 273-5343.

The Big Read is provided by a grant obtained by WVU-P from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum of Library Services.