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September 25th, 2005
National Book Festival Washington DC
National Bookfest is an annual, one day event in Washington DC. It takes place on the National Mall, which is a grassy area located in a Cross shape and that intersects from the US Capitol Building to the Washington Monument, from the White House to the Lincoln Memorial... It is hosted by the Vice President's wife. Activities include readings, lectures, Q&A sessions and book signings. Everything is free and books are available for sale from the Library of Congress, who puts up tents for the events. It's a long day. So bring sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, something to sit on, water and good walking shoes. There is limited food and drinks available on the grounds itself. Food is a little difficult to find in the surrounding areas as well; you'll either need to go into the city and search the one way streets or head back to the highway. There are a couple temporary trucks set up though (mostly just hot dogs and hamburgers). There are "porta-pottys" available but no fixed restrooms or changing areas for babies. I don't like to use the porta-pottys, so we found a building open and went in there, but not all buildings are open since they are federal buildings. So be aware of that. Don't forget your camera; as more then 70 authors are usually on the ground. Some celebs included the ones below which I personally got to meet/see and people like John Glenn, Lynne Cheney (who wasn't there this time as the Vice President was having surgery on his knee), John Irving and many more. I got autographs form Andrea Mitchell, Leeza Gibbons, David McCullough, Meg Cabot, David Baldacci, Laurie Smith, RL Stine, Neil Gaiman and Jerry Pinkney. I didn't have time for others, I would have liked to have gotten John Glenn and also John Irving.
Left to right: Andrea Mitchell, Leeza Gibbons, David McCullough, Meg Cabot and Joesph Ellis
Left to right: David Balducci, Laurie Smith, RL Stine, Neil Gaiman and Jerry Pinkney
Left to right: Crowd, The Tents/workers, General overview, and unknown author
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