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• Inaugural AJC Decatur Book Festival a Resounding Success, as 50,000 Bibliophiles Attend
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• AJC Decatur Book Festival Announces Arianna Huffington as Keynote Speaker
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• AJC Decatur Book Festival Brings the Literary World To Atlanta’s Children

Inaugural AJC Decatur Book Festival a Resounding Success, as 50,000 Bibliophiles Attend

Labor Day Weekend Event Quickly Establishes Itself as a Premiere Event for Decatur, Atlanta

This Labor Day Weekend, the inaugural AJC Decatur Book Festival (AJC DBF) deeply rooted itself in the city’s festival-laden history, as an estimated 50,000 people attended the world-class literary event.

Festival-goers were treated to a wide array of entertainment during the weekend-long event, including cooking demonstrations, author readings and signings, children’s activities, and musical performances from 125 authors, including Pulitzer Prize winners and New York Times bestsellers.

“We kept saying that Atlanta needed a world-class literary festival, and with this kind of turnout, it appears we were right,” said AJC DBF Executive Director Daren Wang. “I am so pleased we were able to put on a festival of this magnitude in the first year, and that it went so extremely well!”

The festival kicked off Friday night, September 1, with a keynote address by author and syndicated columnist Arianna Huffington at Agnes Scott College that was standing room only, with nearly 900 attendees. A special appearance by Senator Max Cleland helped set the mood when he was welcomed to a standing ovation.

Saturday brought beautiful weather and more standing room only sessions for authors big and small. A children’s parade featuring The Cat in the Hat and Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd set the tone early for a fun-filled experience for all.

Attendees were not deterred Sunday, despite a brief rainfall, and the festive atmosphere continued, culminating with a barbeque picnic and a spectacular fireworks show.

Plans are already under way for the 2007 AJC DBF.