SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — PBS Utah's 34th Annual Reading Marathon, taking place Nov. 1-30, celebrates the joy of reading and its lifelong benefits for children and families. The statewide initiative kicks off with a free family event Oct. 24 at the Salt Lake City Main Library.
This year’s theme, The Power to Read, aligns with Utah’s new Utah Reads initiative, led by Gov. Spencer J. Cox and First Lady Abby Cox, which encourages families and communities across the state to make reading part of everyday life. The Reading Marathon supports that vision by encouraging families to read together and build lifelong reading habits.
Last year, more than 33,000 children participated in the Reading Marathon, reading a combined 26 million minutes, a 74% increase over the past five years. The milestone demonstrates the impact of community-based literacy efforts.
"PBS Utah’s Reading Marathon creates an exciting opportunity for families to celebrate reading together while supporting the goals of the Utah Reads initiative," said Annie Frazier, PBS Utah education manager. "Early literacy development doesn't happen only in the classroom. It happens during bedtime stories, trips to the library, and everyday moments shared between children and their caring adults."
Beyond the Wasatch Front, PBS Utah supports mini Reading Marathons at rural schools, libraries, and community organizations, expanding literacy opportunities across the state.
The celebration begins with a free Reading Marathon Kickoff Party on Sat., Oct. 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Salt Lake City Main Library (downtown), where families can meet their favorite PBS KIDS characters, including Daniel Tiger, Super Why, and Carl the Collector; enjoy costumes, face painting, and trick-or-treating; explore literacy and STEAM activities; and attend a mini-screening of Super Why's Comic Book Adventures at 10:30, 11:30, or 12:30 downstairs in Conference Room C.
Following the event, preschool through sixth-grade children across Utah are encouraged to read, or be read to, for 20 minutes a day throughout November with a goal of 600 minutes. Participants who complete the challenge and submit their reading minutes online in December will receive a 2027 PBS KIDS Utah Adventure Pass, providing free and discounted admission to participating museums, cultural attractions and family destinations statewide.
For event details, to RSVP, download reading logs, and learn more about the Reading Marathon and Adventure Pass, visit pbsutah.org/reading.
About PBS Utah
PBS Utah, licensed to The University of Utah, is the sole PBS station for the state, providing viewers with access to quality educational, arts, and entertainment programs 24 hours a day, on four broadcast channels and online. PBS Utah airs national PBS programming in addition to award-winning, locally produced documentaries and series. Recognized as one of the leading public television stations in the country, PBS Utah is committed to serving the Utah community through diverse local productions, K-12 educational programs, and community engagement. PBS Utah works to provide the people of Utah and surrounding areas with relevant programming and services while upholding core values of independence, representation, integrity, education, and innovation.
PRESS CONTACT:
Karyn Crandall
PBS Utah Marketing and Communications Coordinator
kcrandall@pbsutah.org
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