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Show PARK CITY, UTAH Saturday, September 3, 2005 | Events Calendar: C2, Crossword: C4, Scene & Heard: C7, TV Listings: CIO, Classifieds: C13 PAR* CtTY Nev event to fill upper Main with readers and writers GRAYSON WEST/PA/?/C RECORD By MATT JAMES Of the Record staff Next weekend, area readers will have reason to rejoice. After years of planning, hundreds of hours of effort and a few bumps in the road, the Park City Literary Festival will become a realityThe Festival's Web site says, its mission is, "to create a vibrant experience related to literature, which will generate excitement about reading and ultimately result in a higher percentage of time spent reading among all ages." The event will bring 26 authors to Park City and offer dozens of readings and numerous opportunities for discussion, education and literary enlightenment. There will be lectures, discussions and dinners, chances for questions and answers, book signings and more. And most of it is free. "It's going to be pretty exciting." said Karen Dallett, the festival's executive director. She said that over the past few months the festival has grown and solidified to include significant educational components, plenty of children's authors and numerous writers from around the West. Among the festival's guests are Jim Fergus, author of "One Thousand White Women;" writer and journalist Jennifer Jordan; children's author Peter Reynolds; activist, actor and writer Victor Rivas Rivers, who penned his memoir, "A Private Family Matter;11 Michael Blake, author of "Dances With Wolves," Irmgard Hunt, author of "On Hitler's Mountain," and Mark Spragg, whose book, "An Unfinished Life," has recently been made into a movie star- The Star Bar, 350 Main and the Main Street Pizza and Noodle Company. ring Robert Redford and Jennifer Lopez. Additionally, both Peter Reynolds and Dallett said that for its first year, the festival decided to focus on the talent available closer to Jennifer Jordan will make appearances at Treasure Mountain "International" School, Park City. "We're working on first year, minimal Ecker Hill Middle School, and Park City High School on Friday afternoon, talking about how money," she said. And that limited the amount of authors avail- to achieve personal success thorough imaginaable to the festival initially, she noted, so the tion and art. "We've added a lot of programs with authors group focused on getting the best literary talent appearing in schools," said Dallett. for its money. There will also be a lecture program specifi"We utilized Western authors because there cally for educators at are brilliant Western the Egyptian Theatre authors, and because We know the hunger is there, so on Saturday and a they live close by, and panel discussion with we can fly them in eco- we have to start somewhere." the children's and nomically." young adult authors She also noted that on Sunday. the list of authors Dallett said responds to what the festival organizers saw - Karen Dallett the children's-, young adult- and educatoras the interest within On the Literary Festival oriented programs will the community. "We're answering ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ • • • • • ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ™ all focus on the importance of getting kids to what we see as the read, and accent the wonder available through hunger in Park City at the time," she said. The Literary Festival will start Friday, Sept. 9 the literary arts. at 6 p.m. and run through Sunday, Sept. 11 at The events focused on adults include prolocations around upper Main Street. Treasure grams on things like food, self-improvement and Mountain Inn will play host to most of the week- journalism, and also panel discussions on the end's events, with the biggest events happening direction of literature and writing. at the Egyptian Theatre, readings occurring in The Literary Festival will be about promotMiners Park and dinners and parties at Shabu, ing, above all, the reading of stories, the impor- tance of literature and where it might lead a person. Ultimately, said Dallett, the Literary Festival would be about self-discovery through literature. At the same time, Dallett also noted that the festival's format, with many smaller discussions and programs, was designed to take advantage of Park City's small-town atmosphere. Between the events, meals with authors and other programs, she said the festival's attendees would get some unique opportunities. "This really gives you the opportunity to connect with these voices," said Dallett. Most of the festival events will be free, although tickets arc required. They will be available, along with tickets for paid Literary Festival events, at the Egyptian Theatre box office. Dallett also said that would be the best source of information about the festival on Main Street. And Dallett noted that the 2005 festival as a starting point. She noted that the effort will be looking to find its legs - to discover what works and what doesn't. The idea in the first year, Dallett said, was to establish the event, work out the kinks and see what people wanted from the festival. In the future, as an established event, she said she hopes the festival can get more money and grow. "We know (he hunger is there," she said, "so we have to start somewhere." For a full schedule of Park City Literary Festival events, or to purchase tickets, go to www.parkcitylitfest.org. Secret in Grocery LUNCH Retail Fresh catch of the day Prepared Foods Dips & Sauces Cheese platters Made fresh daily Soups & Salads Luncheon platters Sandwiches Picnic Baskets Serving plates Gifts Tableware Unique spices & marmalades Dee Seafood & Grocery Open Monday - Saturday • 10am - 6pm • 1792 Bonanza Dr. (Behind Old Miner's Carwash) • 658-1700 |