National Steinbeck Center celebrates John Steinbeck’s 116th birthday

The National Steinbeck Center celebrated what would have been John Steinbeck’s 116th birthday on Saturday.

The event drew in hundreds of people. Music, activities, games, prizes and of course, cake was included.

National Steinbeck Center director, Susan Shillinglaw, says each year the celebration grows.

She hopes these types of events draw in more of the Central Coast Community to not only celebrate Steinbeck’s legacy, but also see what the museum has to offer. “”we really try to emphasize reading and literacy. We have some scavenger hunts where you can go through the exhibit on a scavenger hunt. A lot of the drawing that we have are characters, Steinbeck Characters and then just to make the museum open so that kids are now running through and families. I think it’s really important just to show how accessible this museum is,” says Shillinglaw.

There are several events at the Center throughout the year. The next, Steinbeck Festival, will be held in early May.

Shillinglaw says that festival celebrates many of the women in Steinbeck’s life.