This past week I had the opportunity to meet up with a couple friends and venture out to the 11th annual National Book Festival on the Mall in Washington D.C. The event is organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress and is completely free to the public. It attracts tens of thousands of people each year, and hosts over fifty nationally published writers, poets, and illustrators. Attendees are invited to listen to lectures, readings, and to participate in book signings. There are tents dedicated to numerous activities for children, to include an area filled with colorful chairs and cushions for comfortable reading.
We arrived around 9:30am, and the Mall was already buzzing with activity as individuals and families of all backgrounds mapped out their endeavors for the weekend. A large tent was set up as a book store, where novels and children’s books where available for purchase. People rushed about within the store to claim their items prior to their favorite author’s book signings. My friends and I were able to get books autographed by Gregory Maguire, the author of Wicked, and Julianne Moore, actress and children’s book writer. The weather was overcast, but everyone seemed in high spirits to match the energy of the event. I would highly recommend the National Book Festival for book enthusiasts or as a fun family activity. Afterwards, the festival is surrounded by museums and monuments to suit every interest.
