Thousands of people from Mission Viejo and beyond flocked to the first annual Mission Viejo Readers’ Festival on Saturday at Oso Viejo Community Park and the Norman P. Murray Community Center.
The free festival celebrated “Bringing Books to Life” and gave the community the chance to meet award-winning authors while enjoying literary organizations, entertainment and local eateries in a festive fair. The event, which was sponsored by the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library, catered to all ages and visitors enjoyed storytelling, book signings, poetry readings, entertainers and more.
Festival-goers began arriving at 8 a.m. to queue for seats to see headliners Henry Winkler and Dean Koontz. Robin Glasser, illustrator of the popular “Fancy Nancy” books, wowed her own youthful packed-house audience.
Throughout the day, free entertainment was featured on the main and children’s stages. Crowds delighted in performances by Cory Chase; the River Otter Circus Puppet Show; Tiana Star; and Heebie & Jeebie, “The World’s Only Demi-Nerd Singing Duo.” More than 50 vendors including A Whale of a Tale Children’s Bookshoppe, Book Events & Authors Unlimited, and Mad Science of South Orange County provided literary-based merchandise for the masses. Roving storybook characters, played by members of the City’s Student Advisory Committee, enjoyed chatting with Festival goers.
The Mission Viejo Readers’ Festival adds another layer to the City’s growing efforts to provide the community with top-notch cultural arts, music, dance, reading and other events and programs that entertain, educate and inspire. Such events and programs showcase local talent and reflect the cultural diversity of Mission Viejo.
For more information about City events and programs, visit the City’s Web site at www.cityofmissionviejo.org.
I was a local vendor, selling my book Breakthrough, at the first ever Mission Viejo Reader’s Festival at Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo, CA. Living in Mission Viejo with my family, I’m very proud to be a part of this event. The Friends Of The Library and volunteers who put this together did an awesome job, and I hope we can do this again next year.
After my time slot to sell my book was over, I stayed to listen to Dean Koontz, by far one of my favorite authors (who sells 17,000,000 books a year) and one of my main sources of inspiration.
I don’t know if he will keep my book, let alone read it. I would imagine he receives manuscripts and books every day in the mail from his fans. But who knows, maybe after one of his 80-100 hour work weeks and spending time with his family and taking care of business, he’ll find time to read and enjoy Breakthrough.
Thanks again to everyone who volunteered and for all who came to enjoy the days events. We should all be very proud of this event and support future endeavors to do this again.
Randy Kazandy, Where Are Your Glasses? was the most fun book at the Festival. It was motivational and I couldn’t even get through the people to get at it. Everyone was laughing and having a great time. It was the first booth to catch my eye with all those colors.