The Louisville Book Festival happens this month on Friday, October 28th and Saturday, October 29th.
It’s been a long road to get here!
Founded by author Deedee Cummings in 2018, the festival was scheduled to be held for the first time ever in 2020, but then, 2020 happened. The staff persevered and held virtual festivals in 2020 and 2021, but it never really felt like the festival really got off the ground or achieved all it was meant to do and be.
We could not be more excited for this year’s festival which will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville, Kentucky which is Deedee Cummings’ hometown. “I am so proud to bring this celebration of books and hope to my hometown. I know that this festival will promote literacy and culture, as well as inspire many people from many different backgrounds and generations from all over the country, not just Louisville. I cannot wait for October 28th,” Cummings stated.
Most major cities already have a book festival and have had one (or more) for decades. Book festivals are responsible for bringing thousands of people to a city, as well as hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in the case of the Boston Book Festival, to add to a city’s economy. Cummings is excited for what a book festival can add to Louisville’s arts and culture scene. She added that many local authors have thanked her for putting in the time, effort, and funding to put together such a large and meaningful annual event.
In the past the Louisville Book Festival has drawn some heavy hitters in the literary world including Tomi Adeyemi, Gwenda Bond, and Louisville’s own Hannah Drak e. This year the festival is thrilled to host Maya Payne Smart, Dan Canon, Emily Bingham, and Louisville Children’s author Brittany J. Thurman. More than 100 authors are expected to be in attendance. There will be activities for children and adults, as well as those who are book lovers and those who are interested in the book industry.
The Louisville Book Festival is seeking donations to support this year’s event and also to support their year-round events such as the It Pays To Read program for At-risk youth. If you would like to donate the the Louisville Book Festival, please do so here. You can also show up for the event and buy as many books as your arms will carry! Happy reading!