The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts Release:
BALTIMORE BOOK FESTIVAL OFFICIALLY RELOCATES TO INNER HARBOR
The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts announces the permanent relocation of the annual Baltimore Book Festival to the city’s Inner Harbor. In 2014, the festival was relocated due to construction space around the restoration of the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon Place. The change in location allowed for expanded programming, additional space for exhibitors and increased accessibility. These factors led to a significant increase in attendance with 100,000-plus Baltimore residents and visitors enjoying the festival; more than doubling the attendance of previous years. In order to continue this growth, the event will remain at the Inner Harbor beginning with the 20th annual Baltimore Book Festival on Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27, 2015, 11am to 7pm daily.
Bill Gilmore, executive director of the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts said, “Although we founded the festival in Mount Vernon, we are confident the waterfront venue will allow the Baltimore Book Festival to reach new heights. The Inner Harbor location has already proven to attract new audiences and attention for the event. We look forward to showcasing one of Baltimore’s most beloved cultural attractions in a new light.”
Despite the move, other events and activities will continue to take place in the historic district. “The Mount Vernon Place Conservancy is looking forward to working with the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, partner community groups and the City to enrich programming in Mount Vernon Place,” said Henry Hopkins, president of the Mount Vernon Conservancy. “We’ll continue to work towards engaging local businesses and cultural institutions, as well as promote and enlarge our current year round community programming in and around the squares. Our programming includes ‘A Monumental Bicentennial’ celebration on July 4, 2015 to rededicate and reopen the monument; music, dance and children’s programs throughout the year as well as our summer movie series and gardening workshops including a ‘Make your Own Wreath’ workshop on December 13, 2014.”
Jason Curtis, president of the Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association said, “Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association will miss the Baltimore Book Festival. We recognize however the benefits of their relocation to the Inner Harbor. We believe this provides opportunities for Mount Vernon to host more frequent and size appropriate events in and around the Washington Monument. We look forward to working with both the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts and the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy to accomplish this task.”
The Baltimore Book Festival, a premier celebration of the literary arts, features more than 200 authors, from award-winning children’s writers and illustrators to celebrity chefs and bestselling novelists, as well as regional talent on several stages, book signings, comics, nearly 150 exhibitors and booksellers, children’s activities, cooking demos, exhibitors, panel discussions, poetry readings, live music and an assortment of food, beer and wine. Admission is free.
