After a strong turnout for its inaugural event in Turlock a year ago, the Reading Extravaganza is returning to the campus of Pitman High School next weekend to once again promote literacy and share the love of reading with local community members.

The Reading Extravaganza is hosted by Fresno-based nonprofit Reading Heart in coordination with the Turlock Unified School District and will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sept. 7. The event is free to all community members and will be similar to last year’s festivities in which all attendees will receive free bags of books and school supplies.

Aside from reading, there will be music, food, games, mascots and other entertainment, as well as vendor and informational booths.  

Sponsors of this year’s event include the Amazon MCE1 warehouse in Turlock,  the City of Turlock Police Department, Turlock Sports Park, Aspiranet Turlock, Turlock Costco, Raising Canes, Lays, Starbucks, Burner Custom Designs and Over Color Design and Prints.

The Reading Heart organization was founded in 2014 by 17-year-old Danay Ferguson when she was just eight years old. She was inspired by visits with children at local hospitals who had little to do while thinking about their uncertain futures. The mission of the 501(c)(3) non-profit is to spread the joy of reading and improve literacy in communities  across the country, especially children with limited access or who are in the hospital.

For more information on the Reading Heart organization and to register for next Saturday’s event, head to their website at www.ReadingHeart.org.