For Immediate Release: Friday, May 17, 2013
Montgomery County Councilmembers Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal and Hans Riemer on Saturday, May 18, will take active roles in the Fourth annual Gaithersburg Book Festival by introducing some of the well-known authors who will discuss their works.
The festival, which began in 2010 and has attracted larger crowds each year to meet the assembled award-winning and best-selling authors, poets and songwriters—as well as local authors—will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the grounds of Gaithersburg City Hall in Olde Towne Gaithersburg. Admission and parking are free.
At 10 a.m. at the Willa Cather Children’s Pavilion, Councilmember Riemer will introduce Karen Leggett Abouraya, author of the children's book Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt’s Treasured Books. At 12:15 p.m. at the James Michener Pavilion, Councilmember Leventhal will introduce Lynne Olson, author of Those Angry Days, a book detailing the political controversy surrounding the United States' entry into World War II. At 3:15 p.m. at the James Michener Pavilion, Councilmember Floreen will introduce Neil Irwin, author of The Alchemists.
Visitors of all ages also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of interactive, hands-on writing workshops. The festival will feature more than 100 authors, who will participate in panel discussions and book signings throughout the day.
The event was conceived and introduced by Gaithersburg Councilmember Jud Ashman, with the support of the Mayor and City Council and the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee. The festival is produced by a core committee comprised of city staff and a dedicated group of volunteers who donate their time and talent. The festival is funded almost entirely by sponsors, with the support of the City of Gaithersburg.
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