The Great Valley Bookfest — now in its 12th edition — is the latest chapter in the book being written to not just elevate literacy rates but to also celebrate the power and joy of reading.
Some 50 authors with most heralding from the Northern San Joaquin Valley are participating in the Bookfest on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley near Bass Pro Shops in Manteca.
If you think this free event is a staid affair, guess again.
Organizers have done everything possible to drive home the point reading is fun and can open the door up to all sorts of endeavors.
There are four presentations involving various authors in the Writer’s Nook besides each author having their own table so they will be available to talk to attendees as well as sell their books.
At the main stage at various times throughout the day there will be presentations from different authors who are attending the event, the awarding of a “Literacy Hero” of the year, the announcement of the Design-a-Bookmark contest winner, the announcement of the Chalk-the-Block competition winner, as well as a magician performing multiple times throughout the day.
The four Writer’s Nook presentations aimed at authors and aspiring authors to help them in various areas of writing are as follows:
* San Joaquin Valley Writers will be presenting “A.I.: What It Can Do For You” at 11 a.m.
* Capitol Crimes will be presenting “Setting As Character: Creating Atmospheric Mystery Locations” at 12:15 p.m.
* Gold Country Writers will be presenting “Topic: I Wrote A Book, Now What?” at 1:15 p.m.
* Participating Children’s Book Authors will be presenting “So You Think You Want To Write A Children’s Book” at 2:15 p.m.
The Bookfest also includes a:
* massive used book sale with inexpensive books that appeal to all audiences being staged by the Friends of the Manteca Library,
* Poet’s Corner featuring various poets reading their poetry throughout the day.
* free kids Fun Zone with games, activities, and bounce houses.
* a scavenger hunt during the event with the chance to win an Amazon Kindle.
* many author and book vendors who will have booths that people can visit and support local authors/businesses.
* a chance to win one of four “Free Little Libraries” for installation in front of your home to enable free book exchanging in your neighborhood.
The Bookfest not only speaks volumes about the commitment of organizers and participants to reading and literacy but it underscores the valley’s tremendous resources and commitment to elevate lives through the power of reading.
The Bookfest is made possible with the sponsorship of Lennar Homes, the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation, Raymus Foundation, and the San Joaquin Community Foundation.
