Monday, April 21, 1997
Adults and children from all over Los Angeles crowd the campus
of UCLA to bask in a sea of literary worksBy Kathleen Rhames
Daily Bruin Contributor
vercast skies could not stop the 100,000 people who flocked to
the UCLA campus over the weekend to take part in the second annual
Festival of Books. In fact, it was hard to notice the weather at
all, given the eye-grabbing festivities that transformed UCLA into
a kind of literary amusement park.
Far more people roamed the campus than on a typical weekday.
Some visitors wandered around while others scurried from booth to
booth with an eagerness best described by one woman’s T-shirt which
read, "So Many Books, So Little Time." But whether festival
attendees had traveled a long distance to Westwood or simply
stopped by to check it out, the Festival of Books created a
stimulating and imaginative world in which children and adults
alike could bask.
"UCLA did such a great job this year," said NBC news anchorwoman
Kelly Lang. "It’s such a joy for me, who does the news every day
and sees the bleaker side of Southern California, to see all these
people out here having a great time with their families, listening
to the readings, going to the panels and showing a great
appreciation for reading."
Lang was uncharacteristically personal and chummy with readers
who begged her for an autograph, as were many of her reigning
broadcasting peers.
Larry King of "Larry King Live" stood before audiences in
Collins Court with his daughter Chaia, where they performed a
reading of their book "Daddy Day, Daughter Day." The book was well
received although the audience seemed to delight more in the
paternal pride that seeped from beneath King’s refined stage
presence.
"Hold the microphone close to your mouth so they’ll hear you,"
he gently instructed Chaia, as she introduced the book. The
audience let out a collective sigh and, as if sensing their
undivided attention, the stage presence returned and suddenly Larry
King was Larry King again, adding "Learn from the master Â
your father!"
With so many big names at the festival, it was hard not to
wonder just how chaotic the crowd would be.
However, unlike last year, there were fewer complaints over
parking and traffic ran smoothly throughout the day. There was, of
course, the typical confusion destined for those who had never
ventured onto the vast UCLA campus. Yet overall, crowd control and
organized parking greatly reduced festival anxiety and enhanced the
relaxing environment for book lovers.
"We’re having a great time, it’s a good day," said Don and
Elaine Ball from Pomona. "It’s just delightful being outdoors among
people, seeing what they’re doing and what they’re wearing. Plus we
love books."
Booths were surprisingly accessible given the
larger-than-estimated reader turnout. The booths varied from
cultural exhibitions to local radio stations like KIIS FM and 92.3
The Beat FM.
It was a classic picture of literary heaven. Under shady trees
or leaning against grassy slopes, impatient bookworms delved into
their purchases while others relaxed and enjoyed their lunch amidst
the dynamic backdrop of live jazz performances. "We’re not
interrupting anyone’s reading, are we?" joked guitarist Jeff Golub
of the band "Avenue Blue."
However, the highlight of the festival was undoubtedly the
children’s section centered in Schoenburg Square. Characterized by
vivid storytellers, arts and crafts booths and a guest appearances
by Winnie the Pooh and Cruella DeVil, the children’s area proved
the most enchanting of the festival.
But by far the most popular item to thrill smaller festival
goers was not an event at all but rather a minuscule, red plastic
Oscar Meyer wiener whistle being distributed by volunteers at the
food court. Like some modern day version of the Pied Piper legend,
people wandering in and out of the children’s area were welcomed by
the high-pitched squeals from the whistles that permeated
throughout the otherwise peaceful atmosphere of the festival.
"UCLA should be proud of itself," said Los Angeles Times Sports
columnist Bill Plaschke. "This is the coolest place to have an
event like this because it’s a place of learning. People are here
to enrich themselves and make their brains bigger. This is the one
place where it’s cool to be just an average, everyday person. I
think that’s wonderful."
Young and old, single or with families, the Los Angeles Times
Festival of Books drew every kind of crowd over the weekend and
succeeded in serving the majority of people’s interests. Whether
shopping for books, waiting to hear a specific author or just out
to enjoy a day of outdoor fun, the festival provided a venue for
people to come together in a celebration of literature.
"It’s really interesting to see all the different types of
people who come together for books," said Becky Sullivan, a
third-year political science student. The festival "gives the
campus an entirely different atmosphere."
(Top) Newly re-elected Mayor Richard Riordan reads aloud to
children and adults at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.
(Above) Children and adults alike enjoy many of the activities at
the festival Saturday. Here, attendees learn to make newspaper
hats. (Left) Attractions included many noted authors and speakers,
like Charlton Heston, Larry King and Michael Crichton. (Below)
Approximately 100,000 people attended the second-annual event this
weekend.