The City of Chattanooga’s Office of Multicultural Affairs is holding the first ever Readers and wRiters Fair to celebrate reading, writing, local authors, and storytellers. This free and open fair will take place on the streets surrounding Chattanooga City Hall on Saturday, Aug. 27 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
“Reading, and the love of reading, is crucial to a child’s success. That’s why the City of Chattanooga has prioritized literacy initiatives throughout YFD Centers and libraries across the community,” said Mayor Andy Berke. “The Readers & wRiters fair is just one more way we can engage both young people and adults through the fun in reading and writing while highlighting our local writers who are successfully pursuing their dreams.”
"While Chattanooga’s own history makes for a compelling story, the city is also home to gifted authors and storytellers with tales to share and inspire. The fair will support the community of writers and readers in Chattanooga who are committed to their craft while also introducing others to the literary arts," officials said.
“We’re excited to celebrate reading and writing on such a large scale with this inaugural fair, while also supporting local businesses,” said James McKissic, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. “Chattanooga has talented writers and storytellers who are passionate about sharing their work with the community.”
The inaugural Readers and wRiters Fair will provide a forum for local authors to connect with fans and for bookstores to engage with readers. Writers will be selling copies of their works at booths, and local bookstores will be offering a sampling of what’s found at their Chattanooga storefronts.
“We’ve had a great response from book-related businesses who are interested in participating,” said Mr. McKissic. “Chattanoogans are eager to support local entrepreneurs, and the fair will introduce people to more opportunities to shop local when it comes to buying books.”
Each hour of the fair will offer an opportunity for participants to hear directly from local writers and storytellers in the form of poetry, excerpts, and 5-minute stories. Between performances, fair-goers can explore booths, purchase books, get autographs from favorite authors and enjoy local fare from Chattanooga food trucks.
Chattanooga Readers and wRiters Schedule:
10 a.m. - Storytellers
Emcee: Shawn Kurrelmeier-Lee, chief reading officer at Hamilton County
Vincent Phipps, owner of Communication VIP Training and Coaching
Finn Bille, storyteller and poet - with Rick Davis on the hammered dulcimer
Ginnie Strickland Sams, writer and storyteller
11 a.m. - Poets
Emcee: Ray Zimmerman, poet and VP of Chattanooga Audubon Society
John C. Mannone, professor of Physics (retired) & Writers' Guild director of Programs
KB Ballentine, high school teacher and college adjunct faculty
Earl Braggs, award-winning author of “Ugly Love (Notes from the Negro side of the Moon)”
Noon - 5-Minute Storytelling
Emcee: Maria Noel, director of Diversity and Inclusion of Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce
1 p.m.- Creative Non-Fiction
Emcee: Corrine Hill, director of Chattanooga Public Library
Deborah Levine, award-winning author of “The Liberator’s Daughter”
Erin Tocknell, teacher, award-winning essayist, author of “Confederate Streets”
Linda Murray Bullard, chief empowerment officer
2 p.m. - Fiction
Emcee: Ardena Garth Hicks, attorney, planner at Lean In Women GroundBreakers
Rebecca Cook, Bread Loaf scholar, author of the novel “Click”
Raymond L. Atkins, award-winning author of “Camp Redemption” and “Sweetwater Blues”
Dr. Thomas Balázs, award-winning author and senior associate English Department head of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
For more information and to see the complete schedule of activities and entertainment, visit http://connect.chattanooga.gov/readerswriters.