1:09 p.m. - Elementary schools across Watauga County celebrated the annual national “Read Across America” event to promote reading yesterday.

Watauga County Schools spokesman Marshall Ashcraft said State Senator Steve Goss, Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson, Superintendent Dr. Marty Hemric, representatives from the Boone Police and Fire departments, representatives from the Watauga Sheriff’s Office, and other volunteers read to children at Hardin Park Elementary.

Students at Mabel decorated cakes to look like book covers and students at Valle Crucis celebrated Dr. Seuss-style by coloring green eggs and reading Horton Hears a Who.

Read Across America was developed by the National Education Association and was first celebrated in 1998.

*Photos courtesy of Watauga County Schools