Kent Library to host Seattle World's Fair presentation Oct. 30

Find out all about the history of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair during a free, one-hour presentation at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at the Kent Library, 212 Second Ave. N., in downtown Kent.

Paula Becker and Alan Stein, co-authors of the new book "The Future Remembered: The 1962 Seattle World’s Fair and Its Legacy," will lead the visual presentation that documents the colorful history of the fair. The book goes on sale Oct. 21 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the fair next year.

The program will include time for questions and answers and an opportunity for those who attended the fair to share their own memories of Seattle's signature event.

The authors will cover many topics including the Space Needle, science, sky rides, showgirls, the monorail, President Kennedy, Elvis Presley, Belgian waffles, beauty queens, fashion and fine art.

The 300-page, hardcover book covers how the space race lit the fire under Seattle’s movers, shakers and dreamers, and how they turned their little-known, geographically isolated city into the place that “invented the future” and gave us the remarkable legacy of a fondly remembered six months of  learning and fun in 1962.

The book also features a photo of Steven Basset, an 8-year-old Kent boy, as he winds his way through a maze at the IBM Pavilion at the World's Fair.

Seattle Center is asking people to submit their Seattle World’s Fair remembrances at www.thenextfifty.org/stories.

Contact Kent Reporter Courts, government reporter Steve Hunter at shunter@kentreporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5052.

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