History
2009 Information
The Chippewa Valley Book Festival, which began in 2000, has evolved into a dynamic four-day event offering a variety of programs promoting reading and writing.
Each year we bring authors and readers together to celebrate the written word through readings, book discussions, workshops, author receptions, and children’s programs.
Over the past ten years the book festival has hosted more than 100 writers. Among them have been such nationally known writers as Jane Hamilton, Naomi Shihab Nye, and Charles Baxter as well as local writers such as Karen Loeb, John Hildebrand, and Max Garland.
An estimated 2,500 people are impacted through attendance and participation in festival events, authors in the schools, and the children’s writing contest. In 2009 we hosted fifteen community events. In addition, six of the authors visited eight local schools giving twenty presentations and speaking to over 900 young people.
The festival concludes each year with a reading by winners of the Creative Writing Competition for Young Writers. The positive image and family-friendly activities associated with the festival also benefit libraries, book stores, area businesses, and the local arts scene.
For information on this year’s Chippewa Valley Book Festival, you may contact the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library (715.839.5004) or the Eau Claire Regional Arts Council (715.832-ARTS.)
