The Gaithersburg Book Festival returns on Saturday, bringing 120+ authors together

on May 19, 2022

On Saturday, book enthusiasts can visit the annual Gaithersburg Book Festival in Maryland for the first time since the outbreak began.

The festival was founded by the city's mayor, Jud Ashman, in 2010 and has brought together hundreds of authors, poets, and writers for more than ten years. More than 20,000 people from the DMV area and across the country attended the festival the last time it was held in person.

The festival, which is currently in its 13th year, is completely free. It will take place at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine.

This year's event, according to Ashman, will feature "writers for everyone" who write for a variety of genres and age groups.

"Our festival, we bring the some of the very best authors, journalists, educators on the planet to come speak about their latest work and sign books," Ashman said. "This year we have we have over 120 authors, many, many bestsellers, winners of the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Newbery Medal, Caldecott Medal [and more]."

Some of the most anticipated authors who will attend include Jocelyn Nicole Johnson, author of "My Monticello," Reyna Grande, author of "A Ballad of Love and Glory," Jeanine Cummins, author of "American Dirt," S.A. Cosby, author of "Razorblade Tears," and U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, author of "Unthinkable."

There will also be writing workshops, poetry and multicultural readings, activities for children and plenty of food.

"I just believe that books and book festivals like this one, add to the world, they enlarge our experience," Ashman said.