E. Memorial Drive Pop-Up Market to Host 'Read Across America' event

The East Memorial Drive Pop-Up Market will host a ‘Read Across America’ literacy event, in conjunction with the pop-up market, on Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 11 AM to 4 PM.

According to the National Education Association (NEA), the sponsors of National ‘Read Across America’ Day, “the purpose of ‘Read Across America' is to promote literacy and a love of reading among children and to encourage them to explore the world of books and reading”.

Deanna Johnson Cauthen, a long-time DeKalb County resident, owner of Cauthen Enterprises, and coordinator of the pop-up market, said that she was looking for a way to support literacy in Georgia.

“As a former home educator, literacy is an issue near and dear to my heart. ”, said Cauthen. More than a third of Georgia third-graders – 34.1% – are reading below grade level. When I discovered that National ‘Read Across America’ Day was on Saturday, March 2nd, the same day as my pop-up market, I thought that hosting a literacy event at the market would be a perfect way to encourage reading.

Cauthen shared that children will meet and hear stories from local children’s authors and enter a drawing to win a bundle of top-selling children’s books.

Cauthen, who created The East Memorial Drive Pop-Up Market to help entrepreneurs gain a new customer base and support positive economic growth on the East Memorial Drive corridor, shared that the pop-up market has a dual purpose.

“We are asking the community to donate a new or gently used children’s book. We want every child who attends to receive at least one book. Also, while you’re at the market, you can support some of our local entrepreneurs who will sell a wide variety of other products”, said Cauthen.

Cauthen said that anyone interested in donating a book can drop it off at the pop-up market on Saturday, March 2nd.

The East Memorial Drive Pop-Up Market is free to the public. For free tickets or to become a vendor, go to www.emdpopup.com.