This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
04/14/2024 07:38 AMPress Release, Branford Book Festival Organizers
Mark your calendar to attend one of Connecticut’s largest book festivals that will be held along Main Street in Branford on May 11. The second annual Branford Book Festival will feature more than 50 authors and 36 shops and will run between noon and 3 p.m. The inaugural event was held last year, and due to its overwhelming success, the authors and the shops are excited to be holding it again this year.
Visitors can stroll down Main Street and explore the quaint shops and restaurants that line the street. There, they will have an opportunity to also meet local authors who will be set up in front of the shops. Authors are looking forward to chatting with visitors about their books—and for those who are looking for a great new read, it’s an opportunity to buy a signed and personally inscribed a copy.
As an added feature this year, more than 20 authors of books for children and young adults will be gathered in one centralized area. Special fun activities for families and children will be presented there throughout the event, including magic acts by a well-known magician from the Boston area.
In addition to the authors of books for Children and Young Adults, more than 30 authors will be showcasing their books with genres including: International Mystery and Crime, Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Military Memoirs, Poetry, Police/Crime, Supernatural Thrillers, Romance, and even new Sherlock Holmes Mysteries, among many others.
The event is being organized by event founder Judy Doyle, a former co-chair of the Downtown Merchants, who enlisted the aid of Jack Matthews, a local author, whose novel Arte Perdida is a best seller that has received rave reviews; and the Town of Branford’s office of Economic and Business Development.
Doyle has been lining up the shops, and mentions several of the restaurants and shops have indicated that they will be offering specials during the event.
Doyle said it’s a great opportunity for individuals, couples, and families, to "...explore the pages of Branford's vibrant downtown and immerse themselves in the magic of the written word as they discover treasures in every storefront and tales waiting to be told on every corner.“
Matthews, who has organized numerous book festivals throughout Connecticut and is organizing the authors, said the Book Festival is a “win-win”.
“People are always excited to attend them. It gives them a sense of supporting their community while finding some treasures for themselves. For the authors, it’s the exciting culmination of years of writing, researching, editing, and finally publishing their work,” said Matthews.
The Branford Book Festival is shaping up to be a fun-filled day for visitors, authors, and the wonderful shops and restaurants along Main Street. It’s an event that you don’t want to miss.
Among participating authors are: Jack Matthews, Greg Dillon, Luca DiMatteo, Andrea Petitte, Jerry Augustine, Wendy Haller, Chris Abbott, Lisa Franco, Greg Gilmartin, Mark Perlman, Sarah Kaye, Julie Wakely, Elaine Stanley Alexander, Andrea Steele, Gabi Coatsworth, Sharon Cohen, Allia Zobel Nolan, Caryn Oresky, Heidi Rocha, Joseph Briganti, Ann Nyberg, and many more.
Among participating shops and restaurants are: Archie Moore’s, Bespoke Home, Splash Boutique, Ashley’s Ice Cream, Pasta Cosi, PS Fine Stationers, Sweets on Main, Fired Up, Possessions, Polished /boutique, and Peal Wine Bar.
For more information, go to Discover Branford @ bestcitiesforbusiness.net or email Judy Doyle at msjudysemporium@yahoo.com