This September, Missouri Book Festival 2024 Brings Stories to Life
by Marla Stoker Ballenger / Photos and videos compliments of Missouri Book Festival
A regional literary celebration like no other, the Missouri Book Festival takes place Friday and Saturday, September 13 and 14 in Washington, MO, a historic Missouri River town with a deep history of cultivating and inspiring readers. This one-of-a-kind event, designed for people of all ages, features an array of programs and activities meant to promote literacy and to encourage reading throughout the state.
The Missouri Book Festival is free and open to the public. Event programming kicks off Friday evening at 7 p.m. with a keynote presentation by Ridley Pearson, author of the Kingdom Keepers and Lou Boldt series in addition to other bestselling fiction. Festivities resume Saturday at 10 a.m. with exciting activities, programs, and vendors and until 5 p.m.
Saturday's programs include a slew of author talks; circus, musical, ballet, and theatrical performances; a professional wrestling exhibition; and various food demonstrations, including a program on doughnut making by Rachel Wyman, named one of the 25 Most Influential Bakers in the US by Bake Magazine and former winner of the Cooking Channel’s “Donut Showdown” competition.
Activities
Ballet 314.
Civil War Reenactment
Friends of Aaron.
Patrick Jones.
Peter Lebrón as Mark Twain.
Wonders of Wildlife.
Keynote Speaker
New York Times Best-Selling Author Ridley Pearson, Friday, Sept 13, 7pm
Join award-winning author of the Kingdom Keepers and Lou Boldt series, St. Louisan Ridley Pearson, for an exciting presentation on the art of storytelling.
Ridley will guide writers and readers of all ages through his process of observation, “livening,” and editing. Featuring stories of his own experiences working with Disney and direct examples from his own work.
Ridley’s notable accomplishments include:
A Star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame
Member of Missouri Writers Hall of Fame
Edgar nomination
Raymond Chandler Fulbright at Oxford
His novels have been published in two-dozen languages and have been adapted for network television and the Broadway stage. He is an original member of the Rock Bottom Remainders, the all-author rock-n-roll band whose other members include: Stephen King, Amy Tan, Dave Barry, Matt Groenig.
Ridley Pearson, Kingdom Keepers Inheritance.
The Authors & Their Books
Aaron Wills, We Mix Up Our ABC’s.
Andy Hahn, Mapping St. Louis.
Anne Carpenter, Crepes with Kids.
Tara Smith, Crepes with Kids.
Cameron Collins and Dennis Dillon, Lost Treasures of St. Louis.
Chelsea Tornetto.
Watch Out for Flying Kids.
DanZettwoch, Missouri Weird & Wonderful.
DanZettwoch, Science Comics Cars.
Joey Zanaboni and Dave Lange.
Kwame Hightower, the New Knights coloring book.
Kwame Hightower, Mermaid Cove coloring book.
Desideria Mesa, Bindle Punk Jefe.
Dytania Harris, Roscoe Goes to School.
Greg Olson, Indigenous Missourians.
Kelly Brinkmann, Art for the Soul.
Kristen Kiesling, The Harrowing.
Michael Anderson, Meet the Author.
Paige Hulsey, A Fun Book.
The Missouri Book Festival is hosted by Washington Public Library and Scenic Regional Library. For more information about the festival and its programs, visit missouribookfestival.com