Belmont’s First Literary Festival Kicks Off August 30 With Author Panels and Family Fun

Book fans will gather at Stowe Park in Belmont, North Carolina, this Aug. 30. The first Summer of Love Literary Festival brings writers, talks, and activities to town.

"We're excited and hopeful to have a regional draw that brings people to Gaston County and to Belmont to support our local businesses over Labor Day weekend," said Brian Frederick, according to The Gaston Gazette. Frederick co-owns the Belmont Bookshop with Kristina Bulovic.

Local shop owners worked with the Downtown Belmont Development Association to create this event. At 6 p.m., Belmont Middle School opens its doors for a special author talk. Writers Mazey Eddings, Ali Hazelwood, Libby Hubscher, Elizabeth Everett, and Serena Kaylor will share the stage. UNC Chapel Hill's Sara Ficke will guide their chat.

Star writers at the festival include Nikki Payne and Lauren Kung Jessen. Brittney Arena, Clare Gilmore, Jenna Voris, and Joanna Lowell will join them. The event also welcomes area writers Tori L. James, Zoe Forward, Jen Guberman, and Brandy Sims.

"Brian has been wanting to do a festival really since before we opened. We know of some other bookstores around the country that host a literary festival every year," Bulovic said. "We just love the idea of bringing something like that to Belmont community to Gaston County."

Young readers can watch stories come alive, create art, and catch parts of Black Star Theater's production of Matilda: The Musical. As night falls, guests can watch a free movie under the stars. Adults will meet writers, get signatures, and shop at local stands.

A game show called Literary Feud adds fun to the mix. "People have the opportunity to join the authors on stage in Family Feud style teams, and compete in some literary trivia," Frederick said. Winners pick which Gaston County cause gets the prize money.

Bunn's plans a hot dog contest to test the hunger of its guests. Food trucks will serve meals all day, while a DJ spins tunes to keep spirits high.

The main festival costs nothing to attend. The author talk needs tickets, which come with Eddings' new book, Well, Actually, and a signing chance. Early birds and VIP guests get first pick for author meetings.