The 2012 Amelia Island Book Festival will return to Fernandina’s Historic District. Most of next year’s festival activities will be on North Fifth Street, between the First Presbyterian Church campus and the former First Baptist Church campus, now the home of La Tierra Prometida.
Saturday, February 18, is the date set for the eleventh annual event which focuses on literacy. Organizers are making sure that festival goers will have easy access to its day long events.
“Our 2008 festival was held in the middle of Centre Street and the turnout was terrific,” according to AIBF Board President Attavia Facciolo. “The October rain, unfortunately, made the outdoor venue a little difficult for our authors and vendors. Since bad weather has frequently been a factor in the success of past festivals, the Board felt it is very important that all of our participants are kept warm, dry and comfortable.”
The Market Place, where the headliners and featured authors meet and greet the public, will be in Jim Thomas Hall, on the First Presbyterian Church campus.
The Kids Zone, where kids of all ages meet authors of children’s and young adult books, will be directly across North Fifth Street, in La Tierra’s education hall.
The Fernandina Beach Library is a long time festival partner, and its large parking lot is a short block away, another advantage to the new location.
The mission of Amelia Island Book Festival is to promote the love of reading and writing by bringing readers and writers together in interactive settings. The Festival is a gift to the community from its many generous sponsors, the Amelia Island TDC, friends and volunteers.
