The Radford Public Library invites everyone to celebrate the power of stories with local and nationally acclaimed authors and storytellers at the Radford Reads Festival on Saturday, May 28th, from 10 am until 3 pm. The festival will take place on the grounds of Glencoe Museum & Gallery, 600 Unruh Drive in Radford. Literary discussions, readings, book signings, children’s stories and activities and more are the main attractions. Admission is free and parking is available at no charge. The event will be held rain or shine.
Thirty authors will give presentations and readings at this annual event which is in its third year. An authors’ tent will be set up and authors will be available after their presentations. Seating in the tent is limited. We encourage attendees to bring their own chairs and blankets. Books will also be available for purchase and signings.
Scheduled authors include: Michael Abraham & Leslie Gregg, Chelsea & Bill Adams, Nancy Wright Beasley, Kathy Bradley, Mollie Cox Bryan, Olivia deBelle Byrd, Angela Caldwell, Joyce Covey & Farron Smith, Jane Goette, Stewart Goodwin, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Webb Hubbell, Vivian Lawry, Charles Lytton, Turk McCleskey, Lydia Netzer, William Rawlings, Neil Sagebiel, Peter Schmitt, Irma Silva-Barbeau, Dick & Phil Wall, Wendy Welch & Jack Beck, Bob Whisonant, Karen White and Connie Wohlford.
This year, the Radford Reads Festival is partnering with the Celebrate Radford Festival, a family-friendly event that showcases the heritage and culture of our city and region. The Celebrate Radford Festival features living history demonstrations, hands-on activities for children and adults, locally made crafts, food vendors, vintage cars and live music including Gravel Road and String Theory. Both festivals will take place on the museum grounds on Saturday, May 28th, from 10 am until 3 pm.
Radford Reads was inspired by former Radford Public Library employee Jean Rockwell’s love of attending the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville. When Jean passed away, her family and the library wanted to honor her by having a book festival in Radford.
Radford Reads is made possible from the generous donations and kind support of our sponsors and partners: the Cheryl Blackwell Book Club (sponsoring the Southern literature authors, in honor of the club’s leader), the Jervey Family and the Rockwell Family. Sponsors also include Ben Crenshaw Art Studio, The Lamplighters, Radford University Foundation, Radford Heritage Foundation, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Ridge and Valley Reader and the Radford Visitor’s Center.
For more information, call 540/731-3621 or visit www.facebook.com/radfordreads
