Literacy is front and centre at the Lethbridge Public Library’s Word on the Street festival, which returns for its 16th year Sept. 19 at the Main Branch.
Manager of Children’s Services and Festival Coordinator Bonnie Mikalson-Andron said the national festival started locally in 2011.
“The festival brings together established and emerging Canadian authors, storytellers, and illustrators. We have workshops and different performers, and we have a marketplace, local organizations, as well as independent authors promoting their works,” Mikalson-Andron added.
This year’s bookseller is the University of Lethbridge Bookstore.
“They have a large tent where they sell all the materials by the authors we’re featuring. We have over 50 vendors in our marketplace this year, as well as some food trucks and a music stage that provides entertainment throughout the day,” noted Mikalson-Andron.
Featured highlights include local author Lorne Fitch, Robert J. Sawyer, Barbara Reid, and Natalie Zina Walschots.
Fitch is an Alberta biologist and conservationist who will be discussing his book, Conservation Confidential.
Sawyer is an award-winning Canadian science fiction writer, a member of the Order of Canada, and he’s presenting his book, The Downloaded 2: Ghosts in the Machine.
Reid is an acclaimed children’s author and illustrator who will be presenting The Story Hunter.
Zina Walschots is an author and gaming designer who will discuss her book, Villain, which is a sequel to Hench.
According to Mikalson-Andron, Word on the Street will also feature several other local, Alberta, and Canadian authors.
“I think we all know how important literacy is for every part of life. This allows us to celebrate stories and the people who bring them to life for us,” said Mikalson-Andron. “There’s a story or book for everyone. We have a wide-range of authors coming.”
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit online at thewordonthestreet.ca/lethbridge.
