Sponsored by the Utah Humanities Council, the annual Great Salt Lake Book Festival, which took place Oct. 25-28 at Salt Lake City's Main Library, helps Utahns foster that great admiration for the written word.

In the nine years since its inception, the festival has brought many novelists, poets, writers of varying mediums and talented local authors to the attention of the community. Attendance has burgeoned to nearly 15,000 people, as festival events expanded to locales such as Delta, Layton, Logan, Price, Provo, and St. George.

Festival director Rebecca Batt likes the collaborative efforts the event produces.

"It is very heartwarming to see the sense of community that the Festival helps to build," she says. "It is also a fun and informative event the entire family can take part in."

One example of the family-oriented atmosphere was the Day of the Dead Author's display. Children had the opportunity to read the poems of Shel Siverstein and the books of Dr. Seuss and E.B. White, the author of Charlotte's Web. During the readings, the children fashioned macabre macaroni skeletons. Additionally, volunteers from the Assistance League of Salt Lake distributed complimentary classics for young readers to take home and relish.

For those who prefer a more hands-on experience, Gene Valentine, a master printer and papermaker from Tempe, Ariz., turned pants into parchment. By turning old blue jeans into pulp, Valentine created extraordinary handmade paper.

Another highlight of the event was an extremely personal and intimate tribute to Utah's former poet laureate, Ken Brewer.

After learning he had cancer, Brewer decided to go public with his diagnosis. What followed were volumes of accolades and well wishes from his colleagues, family and friends.

Marina Hall and Dennis Hinkamp, produced a 20-minute video called "A Song for Ken Brewer" and included interviews from many people familiar to literary enthusiasts such as Ken Sanders and Utah's newly named poet laureate, Katie Coles.

"Because he was able to see the video before his passing, it was more of a tribute to him than a documentary," says Hinkamp.

Batt encourages literary lovers to attend next year's event as it marks the 10th anniversary of the festival. For more on the festival's 10-year anniversary or for information on other programs the Utah Humanities Council offers visit http://www.utahhumanities.org/