“It’s a bird. It’s a plane.”

Nope.

Actually, it is the world’s largest catsup bottle, and it is very close to my house.

I love it.

Anyone who visits my home is very likely to take a field trip there. I make sure of it. (After all, the catsup bottle is on the National Register of Historic Places.) We can even stop at the local pharmacy which sells catsup postcards, shirts, mugs, key chains, and Christmas ornaments. I love it.

I enjoy telling my readers about the catsup bottle, too. Why? Children and teens love to hear about things that are unique and fun. That is something that I enjoy about writing for this age group. They never cease to be amazed and interested and curious.

Every year, my area hosts a Catsup Bottle Festival. People gather to celebrate all things catsup. There are catsup-related games, hot dogs (including the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile), and the Little Princess Tomato and Sir Catsup Contest.

I love the Catsup Bottle Festival because it celebrates something I enjoy. I don’t mean I am THAT person who eats catsup on everything, including scrambled eggs. I do mean that I enjoy the novelty of living near a fun landmark, and – okay – I do love catsup on certain things like French fries. I mean, where would the world be without catsup for French fries?

I love a good festival.

As you read this post, I am at another festival. It is the Southern Kentucky Book Fest in Bowling Green, Kentucky. If you are nearby, I hope that you will stop by and say hello.

People will gather to celebrate all things books.

Here are a few ways your family can make the most of a book festival:

• Check out the list of authors before you go. Going to a large festival is great family fun, but you may not be able to see everything or, in the case of a book festival, every author.
• Jot down a few questions for the authors you hope to see. Authors LOVE questions.
• Bring your smile. Authors love pictures as much as they love questions.
• Bring some names. On paper. If you plan to get a book for someone as a gift, make sure you write down the correct spelling of the name before you go. Sometimes it is hard to remember name-spellings when you get there. Trust me. It happens.

Have you attended a book festival with your family? What are some pointers you have for making the outing more family-friendly?

Blessings,

Carol