Leigh Anne Hoover's book won two Pinnacle awards at the International Festivals and Events Association 56th Annual Convention.
KINGSPORT, TN - Kingsport's annual Fun Fest recently received two Pinnacle awards at the International Festivals and Events Association 56th Annual Convention held in St. Louis, MO.
Leigh Anne Hoover's latest book, Festus and His Fun Fest Favorites, won awards for "Best Miscellaneous Printed Materials" and "Best New Merchandise." The children's book, written to celebrate the 30th year of the festival, focuses on activities during the nine days of Fun Fest and features bright artwork by Tyler Bishop highlighting local landmarks.
Hoover's first book, The Santa Train Tradition, is in its second printing. Both books were published locally by Word of Mouth Press.
"Festus and His Fun Fest Favorites exemplifies the essence of community unity, and is what Fun Fest has been about for over 30 years," said Hoover. "Receiving two awards from such an esteemed group of entries is something our entire region can take pride in celebrating."
Hoover visits local classrooms as a guest author to encourage reading and community involvement. This November she will be a featured presenter at the Tennessee Association of School Librarians annual conference.
"These awards recognize the efforts and talents of local individuals who have found a unique way to tell the story of the Fun Fest and the Kingsport community to an international audience," said Stephen LaHair, 2010 Fun Fest Chairman.
Fun Fest competed with similar size festivals and events across the world, including the North Carolina Seafood Festival, St. Paul, Minnesota Winter Carnival and the Daegaya Experience Festival in Korea.
Both books are available at the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, 151 East Main St., Kingsport, TN and online at www.wordofmouthpress.us. A portion of the proceeds from each book benefit the Literacy Council of Kingsport.
Fun Fest is a program of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce with support from the Kingsport Convention and Visitors Bureau and is recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast for the month of July.
The International Festivals and Events Association offers the most complete source of ideas, resources, information, education and networking for festival and event professionals worldwide.
Fun Fest is a festival providing family-oriented entertainment, sporting events, and other activities while fostering community and economic development with the support and cooperation of business, industry, government, volunteers and other organizations. For more information go to www.funfest.net and follow Kingsport Fun Fest! on Facebook.
The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members. The Kingsport Chamber's mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.
For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, go to www.KingsportChamber.org or call (423) 392-8800.
