Utah hosts first statewide Read-a-Thon to promote literacy

Utah held its first statewide Utah Reads Read-a-Thon on Friday, October 2, 2026, with an expected participation of more than 275,000 students and adults. The event took place across schools, libraries, and workplaces throughout the state, from Cache Valley to southern Utah.

Governor Spencer J. Cox and First Lady Abby Cox participated in the kickoff at Guadalupe School in Salt Lake City, where they read to students and assisted with a book fair. A large gathering of schoolchildren also participated in a reading session within the Utah State Capitol rotunda.

Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson joined students at Mt. Loafer Elementary in Salem to support the initiative. The event aimed to foster a lifelong habit of reading and community engagement through various activities, including older students reading to younger children and the distribution of donated books.