Big Read Events
Saturday, April 14th, KHTS had a host of special guests read sections of his novel Fahrenheit 451 on air. The event was a part of the national “Big Read” effort, which aims at promoting reading in select cities.
(CLICK TO HEAR THE READINGS)
The following day, Ray Bradbury himself was at the activities center where he spoke about his work.
Mayor Marsha McLean, Councilmembers Laurene Weste and Tim Ben Boydston, and over 250 Bradbury fans, old and new, filled the seats and lined the walls of the Santa Clarita Sports Complex waiting to welcome science fiction author Ray Bradbury to the Santa Clarita Valley on Sunday evening. Bradbury, author of the classic Fahrenheit 451, was here as part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ “The Big Read”.
Bradbury discussed his works, peppered his discussion with humor, and gave insight into his writing process as the crowd listened enthusiastically during his hour long presentation.
“It was great to see interested readers of all ages come out on a Sunday afternoon to support legendary author Ray Bradbury and The Big Read,” commented Mayor Marsha Mclean. “The City of Santa Clarita would like to encourage our youth to read and take advantage of the resources available at our local public libraries,” she commented.
Seventy-two cities were selected this year to participate in the nationwide reading initiative designed not only to revive literary reading and restore reading to the center of American culture but to encourage reading for pleasure and bring communities together to read and discuss one book. Santa Clarita was chosen as the host city and the book selected was Fahrenheit 451.
In honor of the nationwide event, a number of programs and events were held throughout the Santa Clarita Valley until May 2007.
