L.A. Times Festival of Books Expands For Third Year On Campus

The Trojan Marching band rang in 18th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books with a live performance accompanied by the USC Song Girls. 

This is the third year the event has been on the University of Southern California’s campus. USC President C.L. Max Nikias says that a collaboration between the Los Angeles Times and USC is fitting because of their long history together. It was a writer for the Los Angeles Times that first called USC the “Trojans” and praised them for “fighting on” during a losing game.

“Not only are we the university that has been committed to the city for 133 years,” said Nikias, “we are the largest, private university west of the Mississippi.” 

Before the event was held at USC, the Festival of Books set up tent over in Westwood. USC alumni Zolita Fisher, says she is very glad for the change in venue.

“It’s just like coming home for me. So I was so happy when they moved it over here because I am familiar with the area.” Said Zolita. 

She went on to say that the move is good for the festival overall because she believes there are more people who have access to this area, allowing more to come visit.

With more people come more events. For this year’s festival, organizers have increased the number of activities to include cooking lessons, as well as added more stages so that there are now eight scattered across the campus. 

The two-day festival is expecting to see over 150,000 people during the weekend.