A free, event with an annual line-up of more than 25 acclaimed best-selling authors for all reading interests. Saturday, March 18, 2017 Free 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Centennial Park in the Fort Myers River District 2000 W First Street Fort Myers, FL 33901 www.readfest.org 239-479-INFO(4636) Presented by the Lee County Library System Priceless family time! Attend and find out why 60% of the attendees are repeat attendees and why 99% of attendees rated the overall festival as excellent or good! The Southwest Florida Reading Festival is the area's premier literary event! This free, annual festival incites a passion for reading. The Festival's allure is the annual line-up of more than two dozen nationally acclaimed best-selling authors for all reading interests. The festival has hosted literary celebrities like David Baldacci, Sandra Brown, Sue Monk Kidd, Erik Larson, Nelson DeMille, James Grippando, Steve Berry, Michael Palmer, Jeffery Deaver, Linda Fairstein, Dennis Lehane, Carl Hiaasen, R.L. Stein, Jeff Kinney and Ridley Pearson to name a few. The festival was recently named a Top 20 Event in the Southeast United States by the Southeast Tourism Society! The authors give presentations, take questions from the audience and sign books for fans. In addition to the big name authors there are simultaneous programs occurring on nine stages, teen and children's arts and craft activities, every child and teen will receive a new book of their choice, the Reading Rocks! Teen Battle of the Bands finals will take place, the Lee County Teachers of English will award the 2017 Aspiring Author Awards, there will be e-library demonstrations, lots of food vendors and more than 90 Marketplace exhibitors. Thousands of adults, teens and children will celebrate the power of reading and learn about the latest and greatest in books and accessories. You won't want to miss this exciting and fun day! Complete author information, schedules of activities, dates of partner events, directions to the event, and more are available at www.readfest.org or call 239-479-INFO|4636. For Marketplace booths call 239-533-4805.