FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Literacy program Allows Kids
to Read their way to Rides
Free rides at State Fair motivates kids to read
It's true, there is such a thing as a free ride, a free carnival ride that is. In fact, there are three free rides awaiting young readers at the 2009 Arizona State Fair.
The ABC 15 program supported by 99.9 KEZ returns this year to encourage children to read by rewarding them with Fair ride passes. Each student who reads three books can earn up to three free carnival rides when they complete the official Read & Ride book report form. The program is open to all Arizona students ages 5 to14.
The report form consists of a brief written summary (approximately 25 words) of each book and must be signed by a teacher or parent to verify that the student has read the book(s). Children ages 6 and under are encouraged to submit drawings instead.
Riding a wave of success since its debut in the year 2000, the reading program has distributed more than 189,000 ride passes donated by Ray Cammack Shows to Arizona students. Last year alone, more than 6,900 children read over 20,000 books in order to earn ride passes during the 2008 Fair.
"The sky's the limit when it comes to book choices, fiction or nonfiction, from "King of the Wind" to Harry Potter and beyond are acceptable, as long the books are age- and reading level-appropriate," says Fair marketing director Kristi Walsh.
Students must personally redeem the completed forms to receive their free ride tickets at the Guest Services booth, located at the southwest corner of the Coliseum on the fairgrounds. During the 2009 Arizona State Fair, Guest Services will open at noon Tuesdays through Fridays and at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Book report forms may be downloaded at http://www.azstatefair.com/Common/Files/READ2009_revised.pdf.
In addition to plenty of rides, kids can enjoy a variety of attractions including The Electric Company, Mad Science's Funky Farmworks, visits by Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora The Explorer, the Great American Petting Zoo, and the Kids Fun Zone with Uncle Kunkle's Farm and Kid Zone Jungle Safari.
The 2009 annual Arizona State Fair, running from October 16 to November 8 (closed on Mondays), hosts a variety of fun-filled attractions, activities and rides for all ages at its traditional location at 19th Avenue and McDowell Road in Phoenix.
Arizona State Fair
October 16 - November 8
Closed Mondays