DALLAS - Hundreds of children gathered on Saturday at North Park Center to let their imaginations run wild.
It was all part of an event called "Dallas Kids Read!" at which Dallas's own mayor spent the day showing children what great storytelling is all about.
The festival benefits one nonprofit group aimed at helping children to overcome adversity and stay drug free.
You could say Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert is the biggest cheerleader of literacy.
As honorary chair, Leppert spent the day connecting in a powerful way through storytelling.
"It allows us to dream, set objectives, that's why reading is important," he said.
This free festival is an annual event in its fifteenth year. There were also arts and crafts at the event but the goal was to help children foster a love of reading.
Dallas City Hall leaders, like city council member Pauline Medrano, dressed up to inspire children, knowing the more books they pick up, the more likely they'll love learning and dare to dream.
Gekauri Shadd is eight years old and reads as much as he can.
This is what the event is all about.
Medrano, dressed up as "Cat in the Hat" was, of course, one of the most popular attractions but dozens of award-winning authors and illustrators read to the children and free vision screening was offered as well.
