Bilingual picture book author Lupe Ruiz-Flores reads to children during last year's book festival. PHOTO COURTESY MCALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The second annual McAllen Book Festival will take place Saturday at the Main Branch of the city’s public library, located at 4001 N. 23rd St.
The festival will feature local authors and publishers who will take part in panel discussions, book signings and readings.Last year over 1,000 people attended the festival.
Guest authors will include Chris Barton, Jennifer Ziegler, Diane Gonzales-Bertrand, Sarah Rodriguez-Pratt, Lupe Ruiz-Flores and poets Amalia Ortiz, Brenda Nettles Riojas, Edward Vidaurre, Jan Epton Seale, Priscilla Celina Suarez, Roberto de la Torre and Rossy Evelin Lima.
UTRGV professors Janine Schall, Mary Ann Escamilla, Elizabeth Garcia and Marlene Galvan will take part as moderators and session introducers.
““The McAllen public librarians really inspired me,” said Amy Cummins, an associate professor in Literatures and Cultural Studies and a member of the planning committee for the festival. “I teach children’s and young adult literature at UTRGV (then UTPA). I jumped at the chance to help bring authors to the Valley so other people could meet them. My hope for this year’s festival is that it will be a wonderful celebration of stories, families and books. People will come together as they laugh and learn in a friendly place.”
There will also be performances by the Navarro Guitar Ensemble, MPL Teen Theatre, Nadia’s All That Dance, McAllen High School Choir, Crescendo Music Showcase, Camarata Cellista and the UTRGV Flautistas Ensemble.
The festival will have food trucks such as El Rodeo Taco Express, Country Cafe on the Road, and Krazy Dogz Gourmet. The McAllen Farmers Market will also be
featured at the festival.
The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information contact the McAllen Public Library 681- 3000 or their Facebook page.
