Festival of Books promotes reading, introduces community to authors

EBENSBURG, Pa. – This gathering will be a celebration of literacy.

The Festival of Books in the Alleghenies will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Park of Cambria County, 201 N. Center St., Ebensburg.

“From the start, our intention was to create a big festival with authors of all genres of quality books,” said Hilary Hauck, event committee chairwoman. “We’ve got so many local and regional authors, and there is no similar event like this to showcase these authors, so it seemed like a good thing to do.”

This year’s event will feature close to 60 authors who will be on site selling and signing books as well as doing readings throughout the day.

A writer’s activity tent will offer six workshop activities, ranging from ekphrastic writing and poetry to sharing your story with confidence.

A children’s activity tent will include Simplicity the Clown with balloon art and face-painting, a visit from Smokey Bear, IU8’s STEM Rocks Van, storytime, St. Francis University’s Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids, and arts and crafts.

“We have more children’s activities than ever before, and we have a science theme going on this year,” Hauck said. “It’s really to nurture kids’ love of reading and books, but also of learning.

“If you develop a love of books when you’re young, the potential impact on your life is immeasurable.”

Food trucks include Kona Ice, The Hungry Owl and Coffee N Bananas.

“People can come for an hour or come for the whole day because there’s a lot of things going on,” Hauck said. “There really is something for everyone from the casual reader to the book clubber.”

This year’s fundraising event will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the Cambria County Courthouse with Jennifer Haigh, the award-winning author of “Baker Towers,” “Heat & Light” and Mercy Street.”

“She grew up locally and went to Bishop Carroll High School, so she’s coming home,” Hauck said. “We’re very excited to have her and (she’s) our keynote speaker at the event.

“She’ll also be at the festival all day Saturday, so people can come and talk to her.”

Proceeds will benefit the Dolly Parton Imagination Libraries of Cambria, Somerset and Bedford counties, which mails free books to children from birth until they begin school in participating areas.

A goal of $2,000 has been set this year to support 225 children across Cambria, Somerset and Bedford counties.

“It’s a big goal, but we know it will help families with long-term success,” Hauck said. “After one of the Imagination Libraries in Pittsburgh closed, we knew we needed to support our local programs and the fantastic work they do.”

The festival is made possible through a fund under the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.

Event sponsors are Allegheny Independent Media, Scribble House, After Happy Hour, Last-Picked, We Got You Covered Rentals, Ebensburg Rotary Club and Kim Springer Insurance Agency, State Farm.

There is no admission fee to the festival.

For more information, visit www.festivalofbooks.org.

Kelly Urban is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow her on Twitter @KellyUrban25.