Parents and guardians get in free, too. The St. Petersburg Times created the Times Festival of Reading in 1992. This multicultural, intergenerational, free event includes talks by noted authors, panel discussions, book vendors and entertainment. Held on the grounds of a liberal-arts college, the event has a special StoryLand just for children. StoryLand features author readings, celebrity readers, storytellers and performers.
Youngsters create bookmarks, book covers and other story-related art.
Publishers also offer free books to kids who visit StoryLand. Five scholars portraying characters from the turn of the century delivered speeches to a crowd in a big-top tent for five consecutive nights. The event was an extension of the Courier's sesquicentennial celebration. The 4th of July Celebration Committee, now an incorporated nonprofit organization, includes the mayor, county commissioner, Veterans of Foreign Wars members and newspaper representatives. Herald-Republic's One World, One Valley festival showcases the rich heritage of the Yakima Valley, its people, food, music, arts, crafts and language.