Thousands of children of all ages put down their video games and stepped away from the computer to spend hours enjoying books during the ninth annual Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Children's Reading Festival.

Denise Riviere, chairperson for the event, said it was the biggest turnout for the festival with an estimated 6,000 children and adults enjoying the different activities in Victoria Park.

From about 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., free Scholastic books were given to children ranging from infancy to 14-years-old and various reading-friendly activities were on hand.

It was part of the sorority's philanthropic efforts in the community and yesterday Ms. Riviere said she was thrilled with both the attendance and the weather.

"This is the biggest year we have had and our ninth year. The highest turnout we have had in the past was about 4,000," she said.

"On Saturday we had at least 6,000 people there. We ran out of everything; ice cream, wrist bands, everything, but it was great. The weather was shocking. It was predicted to be bad, but it turned out to be a great day."

It had been the third time this year the sorority, the Bermuda chapter of the international organisation, which has about 950 chapters around the world, tried to hold the festival.

Bad weather had been predicted each time so Ms. Riviere said the festival, which is usually held in June, was delayed but nothing was going to stop it from going ahead on Saturday.

Between volunteer readers ranging from football players from the Island Soccer League, children volunteers and various parents, the day also included the child-friendly requisites of face painting and fun castles.

Outside the park were vendors selling educational flash cards and critical learning books, which encourage parents to read to their children.

Also providing support to parents at the event was a parents' corner with among other things a DVD on how to read to their children.

Ms. Riviere said she also wanted to thank the sponsors ORBIS Investment Management, Bermuda Aviation Services, Paradigm, Sean's Telecommunication Services, Trinity Construction, Digicel and Bank of Bermuda Foundation for their generous support.

She added: "The day was to stay focused on literacy and to encourage parents to read to their young people.

"This initiative is part of our educational development programme for us.

"Two members of our organisation came up with the idea and it's just something we do every year. This year it really did turn out to be successful."