225BatonRouge.com

What began in 2002 as a modest festival has blossomed into a celebration of Louisiana authors and the written word, a combination of music, food and culture that attracts visitors from all over the United States.

“We started with the concept of the book and have really turned it into an interactive experience,” Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu says. “We want to get people excited about reading.”

This year’s event not only features a long list of authors and panelists who will talk about books they’ve written and sign copies, but also includes book appraisals, storytelling, papermaking, bookbinding and cooking demonstrations.

There will be live music throughout the day by the Michael Foster Project, Chris LeBlanc and John Wilson & The Zydeco House Rockers.

There are two new additions to the festival’s long list of activities: an evening performance by the Baton Rouge Symphony, “The Sound of Books,” featuring music selections from book-based films and a dance performance of Giles Andreae’s “Giraffes Can’t Dance” by the Mid City Dance Project.

Organizers have worked to ensure the this event is the marquis event of the day in Baton Rouge—LSU plays away on this day, for example. “This is really going to be an event that brings out a lot of people,” Louisiana State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton says.

Organizers fully expect 20,000 visitors this year. “According to our research this has really become a destination event for tourists,” says Angelle Davis, secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. “Each year it has grown by several thousand. I really see this becoming one of the state’s premier events.” louisianabookfestival.org