Top summer readers to get free tickets to Perry fair

The Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter is giving children throughout the state an incentive to read this summer.

Stephen Shimp, executive director of the fairgrounds, announced Wednesday that all 404 public libraries in the state will get four free tickets to the fair to be held in October.

The tickets will go to the winner of each library’s summer reading program.

“We hope this will encourage every child to read the most books he or she can,” Shimp said.

The tickets are being paid for by sponsors that include Kroger, Sutherland’s Foodservice, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Georgia FFA Foundation.

“When I heard about this, there wasn’t any way for me to say no,” said Diana Sutherland, vice president of Sutherland’s Foodservice. “I love the library, and I love the fair.”

Jessica Everingham, assistant state librarian for library development and support, said more than a half million children each year participate in summer reading programs.

“Studies have shown that participation in public libraries’ summer reading programs obviously leads to academic success,” Everingham said. “We want children to avoid the summer slide and return to school in the fall ready to learn.”

This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 3:12 PM with the headline "Top summer readers to get free tickets to Perry fair."