Friday, October 18, 2013

National Generator (A.K.A. Book) Festival


I love this fabulous book festival in DC and have caught it several times when it fills the National Mall over a weekend in September. But this year had a measurable downside. The author lineup was great, as usual, and thousands came to enjoy the show, but one aspect of the festival layout frankly sucked. Large generators and giant air blowers that ventilated the book sales circus tent were placed right next to a major speaking tent, creating a serious and constant distraction, not only for the audience but for the speakers themselves. It wasn’t just a little white noise, it was obnoxiously loud—even from my seat near the center of the tent. With an event this large, this sophisticated, one wonders how the planners failed to consider the high decibels when laying things out. For now, 2013 goes down in my book as the National Generator Festival. Let’s hope the next one is much more about books! Okay, I yield my soapbox.


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