Reading in the Wild

Reading in the Wild

Wordfest and Calgary Public Library are excited to announce Reading in the Wild, Calgary’s first annual outdoor Read-A-Thon! Imagine Calgary’s most beautiful inner-city park bursting with people of all ages enjoying the simple pleasure of reading outside. It’s time to bring those books off the shelves and into the sunshine! This event is for everyone – children, teens, seniors, friends, neighbours, colleagues, even well-behaved pups. Readers of all ages will be welcome to bring a blanket and book (or borrow one on site!) to the Park, to read amongst fellow readers in the wild.

This free, all-ages community event takes place on June 25 in Central Memorial Park, home to Alberta’s oldest library – opened in 1912 with funding from Andrew Carnegie, it is now a still-thriving national historic site as well as Wordfest’s year-round performance space, where we connect the world’s best writers with the world’s best readers.  

You can bring your current read or we’ll supply the magic: You can choose from a specially curated selection from the Library's collection, organized by age and interests, which you are welcome to check out at any time from the fabulous Memorial Park Library staff. Don’t have a library card? You can sign up for a free one on the spot! 

“Icelanders have Jolabokaflod, where families read together on Christmas Eve,” says Shelley Youngblut, Wordfest’s CEO & Creative Ringleader. “We wanted to create something just as life-affirming for Calgarians, but we wanted to expand the circle to include loved ones and perfect strangers. Fortunately, the perfect place to gather to celebrate curiosity and community was right outside my office window: a unique event in Memorial Park, in collaboration with the Calgary Public Library, Wordfest’s founding partner."

“Our long-standing partnership with Wordfest allows the Library to reach new readers and celebrate a love of books in new ways, and this event is a perfect example of that,” says Steven Dohlman, Events and Program Partnerships Lead at Calgary Public Library. “Reading in the Wild is a fun way to experience the Library in a beautiful outdoor setting and foster community connection. It’s also a chance to learn more about our free services and programming and pick up a new summer read.”

In addition to reading outside (this is more than enough entertainment for some of us!), the event will also feature live music along with the following opportunities for engagement: 

• Complimentary gelato for the first 200 guests to connect with the Wordfest team and volunteers, coordinated through our gelato partner, Barrow Coffee Roasters
• Jenny Howe, from CBC Radio’s “The Homestretch,” will be live on site from 5:00pm to 6:00pm
• Calgary Public Library will have family-friendly games that can be signed out from their outdoor circulation desk
• Consistent with Wordfest’s Reading in the Wild weekly series on Instagram, portrait photographer Jeremy Fokkens will be on site to capture posed and candid photos of our readers in their natural outdoor habitat. Resident Wordfest event photographer, David Kotsibie will also be roaming the park to capture this unforgettable group reading experience. Be sure to tag @Wordfest with #ReadingInTheWild in your own photos.

This event is FREE but please RSVP to receive event updates and opportunities to maximize your Reading in the Wild experience with special offers closer to the event.

Picnic While You Pick Up a Book

Make the most of your outdoor reading experience with easy grab and go options from our amazing community partners and surrounding neighbours. 

Looking for an easy way to fill your picnic basket? Pre-order a special meal box from Park by Sidewalk Citizen and let them take care of all the details while you focus on finding the perfect spot to enjoy this tasty meal alongside a good read. Pre-orders will be available for pickup from Park just steps from the center of the event site.

Option 1 ($35)
Alberta beef brisket with spicy mustard and pickles on Sidewalk Citizen Sourdough
Packaged with 2 chocolate chip cookies and a bottled water

Option 2 ($28)
Manchego grilled cheese sandwich with sauce vierge (tomatoes, onions) on Sidewalk Citizen Sourdough. Pickles on the side.
Packaged with 2 chocolate chip cookies and a bottled water

Visit this link to place your order and select your preferred pick-up time. Pre-orders will be accepted until June 24^th.

Vendors within The District at Beltline (12th Ave and 2nd Street SW)

• Takori (Asian Fusion Tacos & Burritos ) 
• Burgers Near Me (Smash Burgers) 
• Oishidesu Ramen Shack (Japanese Ramen Comfort Food) 
• Roy’s Korean Kitchen (Korean Comfort Food with a Korean Twist) 
• Greenfish (Sushi)
• Oakberry (Smoothies and Acai Bowls)
• Deville (Coffee and Small Café Bites) 
• Central Taps + Food (North American Fare)

Other nearby vendors offering elevated to-go options:

• Park by Sidewalk Citizen (Pre-Order Here)
  340 13 Ave SW
• I Love You Coffee Shop (Unique Cafe Offerings and Atmosphere)
  14th Ave & 4th Street
• Native Tongues Taqueria (Elevated Mexican Street Food)
  12th Ave & 2nd Street