Grand Lake Area Literature Fest Returning March 21

The fifth annual Grand Lake Area Literature Fest will take place Saturday, March 21, at the Tri Star Career Compact building in Celina.

Organizer Jill Harris says the event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is designed as a free, open-house style festival where people can come and go throughout the day.

Harris says the festival offers activities for all ages.

Visitors will be able to meet 25 authors who will be attending the event for book sales, signings and conversations with readers. Attendees may also have the opportunity to take photos with their favorite authors.

The event will also include a free craft room organized by the Wright State University–Lake Campus education program and Tri Star students in the Teaching Professions program.

Throughout the day there will be four author panel discussions covering a variety of topics, along with workshops in the morning and afternoon. Authors will also take part in stage presentations and readings.

Harris says the festival has also secured funding to bring authors into schools across Mercer and Auglaize counties. Currently, eight author visits are scheduled at local schools.

In addition, a special library event will take place Thursday, March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mercer County District Library featuring best-selling author Margaret Peterson Haddix, who has written more than 50 books.

Harris encourages the public to attend the festival or the library appearance — or both.