Sunday September 25th 2011 marked Toronto’s annual Word on The Street Festival, a national celebration of literacy and the written word. Thousands of Toronto residents flocked to Queen’s Park to enjoy every genre of novella, with everything ranging from children to adult fiction, magazines, biographies, freelance comic books, anime and countless others. Among these diverse stands showcasing novels and their writers were also wonderful resources pertaining to the literary world such as support for dyslexia, and the Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy, supporting literacy programs in Toronto.
The Word on the Street Festival is an amazing opportunity to take time away from busy schedules and to really enjoy being with family, with events catering to young and old alike. Some of the best in the adult programming included the, “Cooks N Books Stage” where cooking enthusiasts were treated to presentation’s by chefs such as Mark McEwan, showing the tricks of the trade. This was an amazing opportunity to hear from Canada’s top chefs, and sample some of the cuisine!
Other intellectually stimulating favourites were the Scotia bank Giller Prize Bestseller stage, The Great Books Marquee, and the Toronto Book Awards Tent which showcased nomination authors of the years hottest titles in Canadian literature. Presentations were held throughout the day with riveting, awe inspiring talk back’s and reading from these highly acclaimed authors, who graciously shared with audiences their inspiration, aspirations, and intellect.
And for those not engrossed with long novels could enjoy some of the many alternative stations offered, such as one beloved project called the Toronto Poetry Vendor, a series of machines which have been set of around Toronto making hand written poems personalized and written pour vous, as easy as putting change into a slot. 30 writers have made the project possible and, and machines labelled “SNACKS” dispense beautifully packaged poetic treasures.
KidStreet, a section of the festival devoted solely to children’s literature and activities was a hit amongst families with exciting programming such as readings with amazing authors such as Nicholas Oldland. He is the author/illustrator of The Busy Beaver, doubling also as the creative director of an apparel line called Hatley. Also speaking was Brian Deines, an illustrator and native from Red Deer Alberta who read to the children Sky Sisters, one of his well known books. The children listened intently sitting on brightly coloured mats in the children’s reading tents as these legendary artistes shared their stories, and inspired their little listeners.Perhaps the biggest hit at on KidStreet was the TVO kids grand stage, which was elaborately set and performed by longtime host “Gisele”. It was a grand audience of happy families who danced along with the characters of the favourite beloved children’s programs, and it was with a feeling of nostalgia that even teen’s and young adults were lining up for a picture with Polkaroo!
The most anticipated presentation of the day was a talk back with author Neil Pasricha, who wrote The Book Of Awesome Things (2010), based on his award winning blog 1000 Awesome Things which was awarded with a Webby. He spoke candidly about his reasoning for starting the blog initially, a way in which to stay positive after the divorce of a two year marriage and the death of a friend, and how this helped him to move on. (His current girlfriend smiling loving from the audience was a clear indicator of the power of positivity.) It was after he was awarded with a Webby, that he was offered by numerous literary agents to turn his blog into a best seller. Since then he has been covered by such major publications as Entertainment Weekly, the New Yorker, and Readers Digest, and appeared with Dick Van Dyke on The David Letterman Show. He has achieved what most bloggers only dream about, and yet was humble as he announced the soon-to-be-release of two more books, The Book of Even More Awesome, and The Book of Holiday Awesome. Even more humbling was when the current Walmart associate as well as national best seller asked the audience for ideas for his blog and website. It was an unforgettable performance, and it is certain that those who were new to Neil and his awesome things will be regular users on his blog.
The Word on The Street Festival is a mecca of brilliant, creative minds, and a paradise for the avid reader. The event was a resounding success to those present and will be highly anticipated until next year when Queens Park begins a new chapter entitled Word on the Street….