literacy tours and charitable events
The Literacy Tour has been an effective means for us to actively engage with both readers and writers in small communities. Over the years, we've drawn in hundreds of thousands of people, resulting in some truly remarkable stories. Our team attends summer festivals, charitable fundraisers, conventions, and other specialty events, spreading the importance of literacy in the modern world through fun and entertaining activities. One of the most exciting features of our booth is the Sentence by Sentence Anthologies, where anyone can become an author in just minutes by adding their creativity to our story. We write a paragraph that sets the scene and the first person in line starts it, with subsequent participants continuing the story.
During these events, we've also been developing a strategy to break a world record while entertaining the masses. Our goal is to set the record for the Most People to Write a Story in 24 Hours, with over 1,000 individuals joining in on the fun. The Road to the Record has been just as exciting as winning it, find out more below.
During these events, we've also been developing a strategy to break a world record while entertaining the masses. Our goal is to set the record for the Most People to Write a Story in 24 Hours, with over 1,000 individuals joining in on the fun. The Road to the Record has been just as exciting as winning it, find out more below.
* The road to the record *
Our goal is to BREAK THE WORLD RECORD for MOST PEOPLE TO WRITE A STORY IN 24 HOURS.
However, due to the intrusive certification process and the associated costs, we understand that it will take time and precise coordination. Despite these setbacks, we've developed a revolutionary way to process participants while maintaining a comprehensible and publishable story. Our ultimate goal is to bring the world record to Canada by 2025. In the meantime, we are excited to engage with thousands of people to create captivating and imaginative stories together. Together, we can make storytelling history!
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Today, let's take a moment to reflect on how we got here and the incredible journey that lies ahead.
However, due to the intrusive certification process and the associated costs, we understand that it will take time and precise coordination. Despite these setbacks, we've developed a revolutionary way to process participants while maintaining a comprehensible and publishable story. Our ultimate goal is to bring the world record to Canada by 2025. In the meantime, we are excited to engage with thousands of people to create captivating and imaginative stories together. Together, we can make storytelling history!
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Today, let's take a moment to reflect on how we got here and the incredible journey that lies ahead.
Our first attempt was on June 29, 2013 during the Friendship Festival in Fort Erie, Canada.
The Friendship Festival was an annual celebration of the enduring bond between Canada and the United States. Held in both Buffalo, NY, and Fort Erie, ON, this event holds a special place in our hearts as it is where a significant portion of our history was founded. When we first planned our tour, we had only intended to host a few small literacy events. However, the overwhelming response to our 2013 event made us realize that we were onto something big.
|
The first attempt attracted more than 1/4 the projected attendees and created an awesome story called
"The Bookshelf King" that we continued into a Book-e-sode series. 
Season 2 is releasing throughout the Summer beginning in June.
|
The Friendship Festival
After a night of heavy rain, we were hopeful for sunny weather on Saturday, and our prayers were answered.
Although the day was a bit cloudy, it still proved to be a beautiful one.
Although the day was a bit cloudy, it still proved to be a beautiful one.
|
|
|
|
|
Despite the rainy weather, saw a decent turnout with the classic car show, exciting performers, and enjoyable rides. When selecting a venue for this event, we knew that the Friendship Festival in our hometown of Fort Erie was the perfect choice. It only felt fitting to attempt the record-breaking feat where our roots lie.
|
Our team of dedicated volunteers played a crucial role in bringing people in and processing the sentences, and we couldn't have done it without them. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who came out on that day and contributed a sentence to the story. Thank you for being a part of this incredible experience.
|
|
It was truly exhilarating to see experienced scholars and young children working together towards a common goal of breaking the record and creating an incredible story. The collaboration between generations and diverse backgrounds made the experience even more special, as everyone brought their unique perspectives and creativity to the table.
|
|
|
Since at least 2001, we have been involved in almost every single Friendship Festival, in some capacity. It's heartening to see familiar faces every year, including those who have been with us since the very beginning. Bringing literary-based entertainment to the community is truly inspiring. Unfortunately, the Friendship Festival was canceled in 2019, but we aim to revive it one day, bigger and better than ever. The festival holds significant meaning for many people, and we aspire to make it a grand success once again. By 2025, we hope to have enough resources to realize this vision.
|
|
|
More pictures of the Friendship Festival to come.
Our second attempt was at the Canal Days Festival in Port Colborne, Ontario on August 3, 2013.
|
canal days festival
|
Every Civic Holiday weekend is a four-day celebration of the history and heritage along the Welland Canal.
Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival encompasses the entire community. The Vale Health & Wellness Centre hosts Ontario’s largest outdoor Classic Car Show and an indoor Craft Show. Seaway Park hosts our kids’ zone with plenty of games, entertainment, and activities. At the Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum the history of the Welland Canal is on display, and heritage artisans can be seen working their trade. Historic West Street is home to many of our local businesses, festival food and shopping kiosks, our Patio on West, the Empire Sandy Tall Ship, other vessels, and our recreation zone. The Canal Days Concert series is located at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park and features top-notch entertainment nightly. Nestled at the junction of the Welland Canal and Lake Erie north shore, Port Colborne is a working marine community, with a rich nautical history and welcoming hospitality. At the height of summer, the entire city takes time to celebrate the reasons why this picturesque town has grown and prospered. Each year more than 300,000 people visit the festival of the four days.
Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival encompasses the entire community. The Vale Health & Wellness Centre hosts Ontario’s largest outdoor Classic Car Show and an indoor Craft Show. Seaway Park hosts our kids’ zone with plenty of games, entertainment, and activities. At the Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum the history of the Welland Canal is on display, and heritage artisans can be seen working their trade. Historic West Street is home to many of our local businesses, festival food and shopping kiosks, our Patio on West, the Empire Sandy Tall Ship, other vessels, and our recreation zone. The Canal Days Concert series is located at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park and features top-notch entertainment nightly. Nestled at the junction of the Welland Canal and Lake Erie north shore, Port Colborne is a working marine community, with a rich nautical history and welcoming hospitality. At the height of summer, the entire city takes time to celebrate the reasons why this picturesque town has grown and prospered. Each year more than 300,000 people visit the festival of the four days.
On a beautiful day, we were fortunate to secure a fantastic location,
which helped us attract an astonishing number of 500 people within a span of 12 hours.
which helped us attract an astonishing number of 500 people within a span of 12 hours.
|
|
|
The location we had for this event was absolutely perfect.
The performer showcased exceptional talent, and drew a large crowd during every show throughout the day.
The performer showcased exceptional talent, and drew a large crowd during every show throughout the day.
|
|
|
During the event, we had the pleasure of meeting many interesting and delightful people, but none were as memorable as "Chipper" - a parrot that made a cameo appearance in our story, "Captain Terry and the Sailor's Dream." more information below.
|
|
|
|
|
Canal Days is an essential festival for any tour because it continues to grow bigger and better each year and the picturesque setting is breathtaking. The grand vessels and the waterfront area have always been among our preferred locations to participate in. They have a genuine interest in promoting literacy and always go the extra mile to guarantee our location attracts a large number of visitors. We absolutely adore Canal Days.
|
Captain Terry and the Sailor's Dream
|
Captain Terry and the Sailor's Dream" is a heartwarming tale that originated during the 2013 Canal Days Festival in Port Colborne, Ontario. During the festival, we brought together over 500 people in an attempt to break the world record for Most People to Write a Story in 24 Hours, and the result was this charming story. Through the pages of this story, readers will be introduced to Terry's world and quickly catch up on his many adventures and misadventures. So join us on a journey to discover the joys of "Captain Terry and the Sailor's Dream.
Note: We made Benny's Dreamland at the 2014 Canal Days Festival.
Immerse yourself in a captivating short story crafted by 279 individuals during the Canal Days Festival in Port Colborne, ON. Within this tale, we are introduced to Benny, the endearing and perplexed Panda bear, as we embark on a delightful adventure alongside him during his day off. As the story unfolds, Benny's circle of friends enters the spotlight, introducing a universe brimming with distinctive and uplifting characters. Inspired by this enchanting cast, we have transformed their stories into a Limited Series, ensuring you can fully immerse yourself in the magical world they inhabit. Prepare to enjoy this unique and fulfilling universe, brought to life in a truly remarkable way.
Our third attempt was at the Niagara Falls Busker Festival on August 31, 2013.
|
Buskerfest is a worldwide celebration of art and music, is a hidden gem of a street festival packed with entertainment. And if that wasn't enough to grab your attention, the whole event was held in support of arts programming for children and youth. The Niagara Falls stop was located on Queen Street in downtown Niagara Falls, and the best part was that it was a free all-day event for everyone to enjoy.
|
|
|
|
|
Clifton hill turns to Queen st.
|
Our initial plan was to attempt the world record right on Clifton Hill, with the full support of the Guinness World Records Museum. However, plans changed when Guinness cancelled just a few days before the event. Fortunately, both the Museum and the City of Niagara Falls stepped in to help us out. Even though we couldn't attempt the record on Clifton Hill, we were still able to attempt it in Niagara Falls during the same weekend thanks to Buskerfest. This event was a worldwide celebration of art, music, and entertainment, all in support of arts programming for children and youth. Despite the change of plans, Buskerfest did not disappoint.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At Buskerfest we created a pretty cool story called...
Buskerfest
I know, I know but the crowd voted on the name.
Buskerfest
I know, I know but the crowd voted on the name.
This is an entertaining story written by 437 different people during a busker festival in Niagara Falls. Imagine what kind of story could come from the minds of the people surrounded by unicyclists that juggle chainsaws or acrobats that seemed to defy gravity. Enjoy the story they wrote where our character Colin faces his fear of flying while making new friends along the way.
|
|
Our final attempt (to date) was at the 2017 Comic Con in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
|
comic-con!!! The perfect venueComic Con is undoubtedly the perfect venue to craft a comic book story. We may not have broken the world record, but we did surpass our personal best, which we consider a significant achievement! Additionally, we launched our first anthology sequel named "Captain Terry and the Flute of Fury," which draws inspiration from superheroes and their confrontations with their most formidable foes. The anthology is also noteworthy for its numerous unforgettable cameos.
|
|
|
|
There are so many more pictures but we're adding a "Mega Gallery" soon.
heaters heroes
|
|
|
ridgeway summer festival
|
|
There are still hundreds of pictures to add.
