HARRISBURG, Pa. — Book worms can now rejoice!
The annual Harrisburg Book Festival is back in person for the first-time since 2019 on Wednesday.
Alec Brubaker, executive director of the Harrisburg Book Festival, said the last two years of a virtual book festival did not match the importance of what this event represents for the city.
"For our community of readers, writers, kids, and life long learners," said Brubaker, "It is so important for our community to gather together for a free and open to the public festival."
This five-day event will feature an outdoor tent sale with over 20,000 books, over a dozen author appearances, children's day programming, Blind-Date-With-A-Book activities, and book signings. All events are free and open to the public.
The largest free book festival in Pennsylvania has attracted many notable national and local authors. These writers include:
- Joshua Prager, Pulitzer Prize winning finalist and journalist
- Jill Filipovic, international journalist
- Peniel E. Joseph, renowned historian
- Lauren Castillo, Caldecott Honor-Winning children's illustrator
- Kimi Cunningham Grant, bestselling local author
- Nora McInerny, renowned podcast host and bestselling author
- Kate Baer, #1 New York Times bestselling author
- Ross Gay, award-winning poet
- Steven Williams, bestselling local author
- Richard Chizmar, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Guests can also stop by on Friday and Saturday for the grand opening of the new Collectibles Building, which houses rare and old books and artifacts that are available to view and purchase.
Alec Brubaker, executive director of the Harrisburg Book Festival, said this event promotes and celebrates the importance and power of storytelling and the necessity of literature in the community.
For more information about this year's event, click here.