Sunday, May 13, 2012

Litfest 2012

Happy crowds.
Dedicated volunteers.
Diverse authors, publishers and booksellers.
Entertaining speakers and panels.
Good food.
Fun.
Expanding horizons.

Reading. This is what it's all about.

Yesterday's Litfest Pasadena was a smashing success. Can't wait for next year!

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did all the panels have good crowds? I wanted to go, but got roped into an extra Huntington tour because they were so crowded yesterday.

Petrea Burchard said...

Some did, some didn't. I think it had more to do with sun than the panels themselves, meaning if the audience had to sit in blazing sun they didn't want to stay. So after that happened once we turned one stage around and seated the audience under the tent for the remainder of the afternoon (brilliant idea on the part of one of the volunteers). Those panels were packed for the rest of the afternoon.

Those are notes for next year, I suppose. This is the first year of Litfest and I'm sure lessons were learned. But it was super smooth, considering it's never been done before.

irinapictures said...

What a joy to see this young gentleman reading, he has right habit.

Bellis said...

Glad it went well!

Petrea Burchard said...

I agree, Irina. I began learning to read when I was four years old and I've never stopped loving it.

It was a success, Bellis. I hope we do it every year.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Litfest Pasadena sounds great!

Petrea Burchard said...

It really was fun, Sonia. I'm already looking forward to next year's.

Margaret said...

I wish I could have gone.

Ms M said...

Glad it went well!
Your photo is wonderful; it could be made into a Litfest poster for next year.

Petrea Burchard said...

Margaret, it's right up your alley.

I don't like saying that, it's cliche, but I couldn't think of a book title with "alley" in it.

Margaret, it's right up your Tobacco Road. It's right up your Easy Street. It's right up your

there's probably something wrong with this.

Thank you, Ms. M. I caught a few people reading. The nerve!

Susan Campisi said...

Next year I'll leave Tommy at home so I can listen to the panels. But it was a treat running into you.

Petrea Burchard said...

It was fun seeing you, too, and Tommy. You guys were my moment of serenity.

Unknown said...

I really wanted to go to LitFest - glad to read that it went well.

-K- said...

It's a little strange to see someone of that age to not be reading from an ipad.

Petrea Burchard said...

You'll come next year, Lori, and it'll be even better.

K, I predict: books will stay. iPads will stay and/or evolve. Like performance venues (film, TV, radio, stage), we will have many ways to read and we'll enjoy them all. I still don't have an iPad but I'll have to get one eventually because my bookshelves are full.

TheChieftess said...

It is nice to see this young guy reading...seems like an anomaly these days! With a librarian for a Grandma and my reader mom...I had great role models for reading and lot's of good books!!!

Glad your event went well Petrea! Next year when you're featured we'll have to make a point of attending!!!

Pasadena Adjacent said...

It seems I keep missing Susan at these Pasa events. I should have gotten here earlier. I could have added the conversation

Petrea Burchard said...

Is it really an anomaly, Chieftess? I hear it said, but I still meet smart kids who love books and stories. And Young Adult literature is selling like hotcakes. The up-and-coming reader is lighting a fire under publishing.

PA, it was seeing you, and Susan, and Kim, and several other friends I ran into during the day, that made it really fun.

TheChieftess said...

I don't see many kids with books other than their text books around here (it's pretty much an active/outdoor crowd here)...the other thing that concerns me is the watering down of classics in education...I don't know how often that's done....but I'm not inclined to think that our kids read as much as we did/do...although Harry Potter was definitely big!!! I hope you're right Petrea!!!

Adele said...

I'd have to weigh in that it's not so much the anomaly that people might think it is. I'm happy to say I know lots of kids who are big readers.

Glad it was a successful day, Petrea!

Dina said...

You found the best photo opp of all!

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, but this one was easy. There were kids and adults reading all over the place, even with the crowds.

j gold said...

Yes, but this time you shot my boy. Which shows impeccable taste and refinement.

Petrea Burchard said...

Ah, well, if you're the j gold I think you are, then I must admit you're right.