Join Us and Celebrate 10 Years of
the Gaithersburg Book Festival
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 2019 marks an impressive milestone for the Gaithersburg Book Festival, as we celebrate a decade of bringing award-winning and up-and-coming authors to our community and fostering a greater appreciation of the literary arts.
What started as an ambitious "what if" idea while founder Jud Ashman was attending the National Book Festival has morphed into one of the most anticipated events of the Spring for literature lovers around the country and the authors who write the works we love.
During the Festival this year, we'll be celebrating with several special events:
- Giveaways - Keep your eyes peeled for special giveaways to commemorate 10 years of the GBF at the 10th Anniversary tent, located near the Politics & Prose Book Sales tent. While supplies last.
- Storybook Nook - Readers dressed as fairytale characters - including Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Jack (Jack and Bean Stalk) and Mouse (Quiet as a Mouse) - will host story time and be available for photo ops.
- Costume Parade - All attendees - children and adults alike! - are invited to come to the Festival dressed as a favorite literary character and participate in our Literary Costume Parade. The parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Marvin Gaye Stage (City Hall Concert Pavilion Stage).
 10th Anniversary Concert - Wrap up your Festival experience with a special concert by Gaithersburg's own Erin Willett. From Gaithersburg High School “Class Clown” (Class of 2007) to her national television debut on Season 2 of "The Voice," Erin hasn't forgotten where she comes from and is excited to make a return to her hometown for this special occasion. Erin also inspired millions on Season 17 of "The Biggest Loser," dropping 87 lbs., and is an Influencer of Hope for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Her song, “Hope’s Alive,” is the organization’s Anthem of Hope and all sales go back to PanCAN. The concert begins at 5 p.m. at the Marvin Gaye Stage (City Hall Concert Pavilion Stage). |
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Plan Your Day - From Authors to Signings to Workshops and More...
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With more than 140 authors, poets and singer-songwriters on our schedule, it may seem like a daunting task trying to figure out how you can hear all those you're interested in, get your books signed, and have time to explore exhibitors, shop for new and used books, and maybe even take in a workshop or two.
Start planning your day with the many helpful tools you can find on the Festival website, including:
On our website you also can find information about:
~ Getting There ~
Now that you've worked out your schedule, it's time to look at your alternatives for getting to the Gaithersburg Book Festival. We make it easy with free parking, free shuttles and easy access from public transportation.
Driving? Take advantage of free parking at Lakeforest Mall, and enjoy an easy five-minute complementary accessible shuttle ride that drops you right off at the Festival grounds. Satellite parking also is available at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park (506 S. Frederick Ave.), which is a short half-mile walk away. Please note that only service animals are permitted on the shuttle busses and Festival grounds.
Coming by Metro? Take the Red Line to the Shady Grove station and hop on the free shuttle. The Metro shuttle runs every 30 minutes, starting at 9:15 a.m., with the last shuttle leaving the Festival grounds at 6:30 p.m. To find the shuttle, exit left off the first escalator, take the second escalator up to street level, and continue straight ahead on the sidewalk, past the last bus shelter, to the area near the bike racks.
Don't want to wait for the Metro shuttle? You can also take Ride-On Bus #55/Germantown Transit Center or #57/Lakeforest, and exit the bus at the intersection of Rte. 355 and Summit Ave. by St. Martin's Church.
Taking Lyft, Uber or a taxi?
The recommended address for drop off and pick up is 21 S. Summit Ave.
Need accessible parking? The festival grounds are wheelchair accessible, and accessible parking will be available just off of Wells Avenue in the Wells/Robertson House parking lot, adjacent to the MARC train parking lot in Olde Towne Gaithersburg. An official sticker or tag will be required in order to park in this lot.
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Singer-Songwriters, Poets and a Parade
Take the Stage by Brew & Vine Café
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 While at the festival, treat yourself to the sounds of some of the area's most entertaining and talented singer-songwriters and poets, performing on the Marvin Gaye Stage (City Hall Concert Pavilion), while enjoying healthy snacks and sandwiches, coffee, a pint of beer or glass of wine from the Brew & Vine Café presented by Dawson's Market.
The performance schedule includes:
11 a.m. - Travis Tucker - A diverse entertainer whose voice ranges from caressing silky smooth ballads, to punching high-energy dance tunes and intricate raps, Travis is an accomplished songwriter and motivational speaker. He is best-known for his appearance on "American Idol" Season 4, where he advanced to the Top 16. Since then, he has performed for the Washington Redskins, Washington Wizards, and on Fox 5 News.
Noon - Steven Gellman - A singer-songwriter (pictured above) who has performed his slice-of-life lyrics to audiences across the country since the mid-90s, Steven's debut release, Photobook, garnered critical acclaim. He was nominated for four awards from The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) and by The Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards (GLAMA) for Debut Album of the Year.
1 p.m. - Best Medicine Rep: Short Plays Written by Kids, Performed by Adults - A non-profit, professional theater company that specializes in comedy, Best Medicine Rep is dedicated to the artistic, educational and cultural development of the Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village areas of Maryland.
1:30 p.m. - 10th Anniversary Literary Costume Parade (see details in top story)
2:30 p.m. - Poetry Contest for High School Students Awards
3 p.m. - The Mayor’s Book Club Reading Competition Awards Presentation
3:15 p.m. - Tabi Terusiak - A Maryland native, Tabi is an up and coming singer-songwriter and musician who draws influence from powerful female songwriters such as Stevie Nicks, Sara Bareilles, and Grace Potter. Look out for her upcoming debut EP, “Lost Cause” arriving this fall. tabiterusiak.com
4:15 p.m. - Best Medicine Rep: Short Plays Written by Kids, Performed by Adults
5 p.m. - Erin Willett: 10th Anniversary Concert (see details in top story)
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Interested in spending the day rubbing elbows with today’s literary stars and helping your community? If so, consider volunteering for the 2019 Gaithersburg Book Festival.
Some volunteer opportunities still remain.
Visit our website to learn more.
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Because of some unexpected and unavoidable conflicts, some of our previously announced featured authors will be unable to attend the Festival:
- Greer Macallister
- Tressie McMillan Cottom
- Jessica Mehta
- Julian Voloj
In addition, we'd like to welcome Randee Green, author of "Criminal Misdeeds (A Carrie Shatner Mystery)," who will be presenting with Erica Wright at 10:15 a.m. in the Hammett Pavilion.
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10th Annual Gaithersburg Book
Festival
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Saturday
May 18, 2019
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On the Grounds of
City Hall in Olde Towne Gaithersburg, Md.
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May 10-11 Writers Conference
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The Gaithersburg Book Festival thanks the organizations
that have recently pledged
their support of our
10th annual event.
~ Presenting Sponsor ~
Downtown Crown
~ Literary Sponsors ~
F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival
Holiday Inn Gaithersburg
Washington Writers
Conference
~ Book Lovers ~
Classical Conversations
Grace United
Methodist Church
Maryland Insurance
Administration
Montgomery History
TD Bank
The College
Application Specialist
The Little Gym at
Downtown Crown
The Tommy Show
~ Festival Friend ~
Wegmans
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~ Partners ~
~ Festival Sponsors ~
~ Festival Sponsors ~
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Share the GBF News with your friends, family and book club members so they can see what we're planning for 2019! Simply click the "Send to a Friend" button at the top of the newsletter to pass along this issue.
To become a regular GBF News subscriber, visit the Festival website and click "Join Our Mailing List."
Subscriber contact information will be used solely for the newsletter and will not be shared or sold to other parties.
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