Our history and founders

By Festival Staff / March 22, 2010

The Tucson Festival of Books debuted March 14-15, 2009, on the campus of The University of Arizona. The Festival featured 450 authors and presenters and welcomed 50,000 regional visitors, all made possible with generous support from our sponsors and the energetic goodwill of 800 volunteers.

In 2009, the Gila monster was the festival mascot.

The second Festival was March 13-14, 2010, and attracted an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 participants. The mascot was the hummingbird.

The third Festival will be March 12-13, 2011, again on the campus of the University of Arizona. The mascot will be the tarantula.

Founders

The Tucson Festival of Books Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was founded by Bill Viner, president; Frank Farias and John M. Humenik, vice presidents; Bruce Beach, treasurer; and Brenda Viner, secretary.