Event Schedule
We have so much to offer this year that we could not fit it within the Festival of Reading week. So we have scheduled a couple Pre-Celebration events to get the Festival started early!
Be sure to check out the Teen and Youth Events calendar for events and programs specifically designed for our youth!
Pre-Festival of Reading Events
Thursday, March 15
| A Taste of the Tropics with Bob Morris | 6:30 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Venetian Gardens, Leesburg
Don't miss the chance to have dinner with this year's Lake County Reads! author and Leesburg native Bob Morris.
Hosted by Leesburg Public Library
|
|
Festival of Reading Events
Saturday, March 17
| Festival of Reading Opening Event | 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Venetian Gardens, Leesburg
Don't miss the kick-off for this year Festival of Reading. It is going to be a deliciously good time! Performances and workshops throughout the day with arts, crafts, and free food!
Hosted by Leesburg Public Library
|
|
| A Wine Speak and Tasting Event | 2:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION:Bacchus Vino, Clermont
This unique wine with the author experience will featuring Keith Mullins at Bacchus Vino Etcetera, 692 W Montrose Street, Clermont.
Hosted by Cooper Memorial Library
|
|
Sunday, March 18
| Bow Wow @ the Library | 2:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: W.T. Bland Public Library
Festival of Reading spectacular featuring The Dog Diet author, Patti Lawson.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| Hispanic Heritage Series Authors | 3:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Tavares Civic Center
In conjunction with the Hispanic Heritage Series, this Festival of Reading event features three ethnic authors.
Hosted by Tavares Public Library
|
|
Monday, March 19
| Writer's Brown bag with Nancy Butler-Ross | 12:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: W.T. Bland Public Library
Find out how to get your manuscript ready for submission and how to become successful published author.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| Amherst Writers Workshop | 2:30 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: W.T. Bland Public Library
Hands-on writing workshop presented by Jamie Morris of Woodstream Writing Workshops.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| The Bounty of Central Florida | 5:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Citrus Ridge County Library
Sample the bounty of central florida with author Valerie Hart in this unique food experience.
Hosted by Cagan Crossings Community Library
|
|
| The South American Table | 6:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Marion Baysinger Memorial Library
Event featuring Maria Baez Kijac, a food writer, cooking instructor, culinary historian, judge for the Slow Food Awards, kitchen director for PBS' American Family Kitchen and author of The South American Table.
Hosted by Marion Baysinger Memorial Library
|
|
| Poetry Night: Featuring local poet/writer Colleen Avelli | 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: East Lake County Library
Join us for Poetry Night featuring local poet and writer, Colleen Avelli.
Hosted by East Lake County Library
|
|
Tuesday, March 20
| Getting Healthy with Ronice Weaver | 11:00 AM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Martin Luther King Center, 803 Florida Ave, Mt. Dora
The W.T. Bland Library will host Roneice Weaver for a special presentation about eating healthy.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| Brown Bag with Author: Jeff Klinkenberg | 12:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: W. T. Bland Public Library
This Florida Humanities Council Road Scholar Program features guest Jeff Klinkenberg who will offering a list of literature no Floridian should be without.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| The Groveland Four | 2:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Lady Lake Public Library
Author Gary Corsair will give an in-depth account of one of America's worst racial atrocities.
Hosted by Lady Lake Public Library
|
|
| One of a Kind | 2:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Citrus Ridge County Library
Join us for this 'one of a kind' book discussion with authors, Gene and Kathryn Conley.
Hosted by Cagan Crossings Community Library
|
|
| Deadly Tea | 3:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: W. T. Bland Public Library
Come for a Deadly Tea with Mary Anna Evans, author of the famous reads, Relics and Artifacts with the newest, Effigies.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| Shaping History with Food | 5:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: W.T. Bland Public Library
Discover how food has shaped history with author Valerie Hart in this unique food experience.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| A Spiritual Journey | 6:30 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Paisley County Library
Featuring Colleen Avelli, author of the novel, In Mother's Hands.
Hosted by Paisley County Library
|
|
| Music of Key West: Musician Don Beem | 6:30 PM- 7:30 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Clermont Women's Club, 655 Broome Street, Clermont
Prelude to the Key West Adventure. Featuring Orlando-based musician, Don Been, performing Key West/Island themed music.
Hosted by Cooper Memorial Library
|
|
| Digging Up Mysteries | 7:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Leesburg Public Library
Featuring archeological mystery author, Mary Anna Evans. Author of Relics and Artifacts.
Hosted by Leesburg Public Library
|
|
| Writing Workshop with Sherry Hays | 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: East Lake County Library
Improve your writing skills with this workshop presented by Sherry Hays.
Hosted by East Lake County Library
|
|
| A Key West Adventure with Michael Suib & Nancy Butler-Ross | 7:30 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Clermont Women's Club, Clermont
Featuring Authors Nancy Butler-Ross and Michael Suib.
Hosted by Cooper Memorial Library
|
|
Wednesday, March 21
| Local Authors Day | 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Umatilla Public Library
With special guests, Charles Benoit, author of Relative Danger, and Michael Suib and Nancy Butler-Ross. This event will also feature local authors who will be available to talk about their works.
Hosted by Umatilla Public Library
|
|
| Trace Evidence | 2:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Fruitland Park Library
Features Elizabeth Becka, a member of the American Academy of Forensic Scientists, and author of Trace Evidence. She will provide a new take on the mystery novel.
Hosted by Fruitland Park Library
|
|
| The Entertainment Man | 4:30 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Paisley County Library
Featuring author Jackie Cooper.
Hosted by Paisley County Library
|
|
| Lighten Up: Adding Humor to Your Writing | 7:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: East Lake County Library
Featuring special guest, Charles Benoit, author of Relative Danger and Out of Order. Charles will share his knowledge of writing in this entertaining workshop.
Hosted by East Lake County Library
|
|
Thursday, March 22
| Brown Bag with Author: Gary Corsair | 12:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: W.T. Bland Public Library
Brown Bag with award winning author and journalist, Gary Corsair on his shocking expose, The Groveland Four.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| Deadly Sweets with Author Nancy Cohen | 2:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Creative Hair Designs, Fruitland Park
Featuring tea with Nancy Cohen, author of The Bad Hair Day series. Ms. Cohen will present "Writing the Whodunit: Mystery Writing 101".
Hosted by Fruitland Park Library
|
|
| Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra Prelude | 5:30 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: W. T. Bland Public Library
Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra Concert Prelude where Guy Saint-Clair shares his musical insight about the upcoming concert.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| Cooper @ Cooper | 6:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Cooper Memorial Library
Featuring author Jackie K. Cooper.
Hosted by Cooper Memorial Library
|
|
| Writing Killer Fiction | 6:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Citrus Ridge County Library
Fiction writing workshop presented by author Charles Benoit.
Hosted by Cagan Crossings Community Library
|
|
| Dinner with the Watford's | 6:30 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Astor County Library
This special dinner features the Watford family as special guests, who will share their story how the whole family wrote, illustrated, and published a book.
Hosted by Astor County Library
|
|
| Story Development: How to Jump Start Your Plot | 7:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Tavares Civic Center
Featuring special guest author Nancy Cohen.
Hosted by Tavares Public Library
|
|
Friday, March 23
| 4th Annual Literary Luncheon with Author Tamar Myers | 11:30 AM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Lake Receptions
The Annual Author's Luncheon with nationally acclaimed author Tamar Myers.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| Wine and Cheese with the Author | 5:30 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce
This Festival of Reading event with author and jazz personality Charles Benoit is being hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Mount Dora Library Association.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| Evening of Mystery | 6:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Tavares Public Library Civic Center
Enjoy wine sampling with 2006 Lake County Reads! authors, Lynn Sholes and Joe Moore as they return with their latest, The Last Secret.
Hosted by Tavares Public Library
|
|
Saturday, March 24
| 3rd Annual Bluegrass Festival | 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: East Lake County Library
The Festival within the Festival! Includes musical acts, singing, dancing, facepainting and more!
Hosted by East Lake County Library
|
|
| Writing Fiction for Fun and Profit | 10:00 AM
| Details
|
LOCATION: W. T. Bland Public Library
This writing "Tell Lies for A Living" workshop will be presented by popular mystery author Nancy J. Cohen.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| European Musical Duet | 10:00 AM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Cooper Memorial Library
Come to this cultural and musical experience featuring the duet of Olesya and Oksana Pankiv.
Hosted by Cooper Memorial Library
|
|
| Pirates in Groveland | 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Marion Baysinger Memorial County Library
This Family Festival of Reading event will feature Kevin McCarthy speaking about pirates and the Practical Potwatcher, Mary Ryder, on the food history of pirates.
Hosted by Marion Baysinger Memorial Library
|
|
| CANCELLED: Gaspar Antonio Xiu | 11:00 AM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Astor County Library
Featuring author, Gaspar Antonio Xiu, author of several books on Mayan history.
Hosted by Astor County Library
|
|
| A Poetry Cafe | 1:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Paisley County Library
Featuring special guest and award winning poet Steve Kronen.
Hosted by Paisley County Library
|
|
| A Mystery Tea | 1:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Clermont Women's Club
Author Charles Benoit will speak on his book Out of Order and his research in India.
Hosted by Cooper Memorial Library
|
|
| Writers' Reception | 2:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: W. T. Bland Public Library
The Author's Reception honors the winners of the 2007 Mount Dora Writer's Contest.
Hosted by W.T. Bland Public Library
|
|
| The Mystery Cafe | 2:00 PM
| Details
|
LOCATION: Leesburg Public Library
Lynn Sholes and Joe Moore 2006 Lake County Reads! authors return to the Festival of Reading with their latest novel, The Last Secret.
Hosted by Leesburg Public Library
|
|