Book Lovers of All Ages Are Invited to EpicFest

EpicFest is an extraordinary, free literary festival that joyfully connects children, teens and families with books and the people who write them through activities that encourage a love of reading and learning. In its sixth year, EpicFest has become a wonderful family tradition.

Nationally-recognized children’s and young adult authors and illustrators will spend two days in Charlotte to share their latest books, experiences and passion for libraries with kids of all ages.

Authors and illustrators will visit select Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools on November 8 to speak with students, and will headline a daylong literary festival at ImaginOn on November 9.

EpicFest’s 2024 featured guests

We are proud to welcome ten featured authors to EpicFest this year: Greg Foley, John Patrick Green, Kim Johnson, Kelly Starling Lyons, Niña Mata, Peter Raymundo, Meera Sriram, Jonny Garza Villa, Tracey West, JaNay Brown-Wood.

Plan your visit

What: EpicFest

When: Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, 300 E. Seventh Street, Charlotte

Want more? Check out Verse & Vino – Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation’s signature fundraising event on November 7, 2024.

EpicFest 2024 Schedule:

•  10a.m.-3p.m.:

⦾ Game Truck
⦾ Bubble Station
⦾ Sidewalk Chalk Station
⦾ Book Giveaways
⦾ Nouveau Sud Breakdancers
⦾ Library Info
⦾ Photobooth
⦾ Design Your Own Hat
⦾ Sensory PlayDoh
⦾ Self-Portrait Collage
⦾ Dragon Jewelry
⦾ WelcomeCLT
⦾ Block Area
⦾ Book Store
⦾ Balloon Animals
⦾ Face Painters
⦾ Puzzles
⦾ Scavenger Hunt
⦾ Obstacle Course
⦾ Teen Activities
⦾ Costume Characters

• 10:20-10:50a.m.: Family Storytime in Spangler Library
• 10:30-2:30p.m.: Drums4Life
• 10:55a.m.-2:30p.m.: Spangler Stage: Author Talks
• 10:55a.m.-2:30p.m.: Author Signings
• 12-1p.m.: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs Performance

EpicFest 2024 Author Schedule

•  10:55-11:15 a.m.: Meera Sriram/JaNay Brown-Wood
•  11:20-11:40 a.m.: Kelly Starling Lyons/Nina Mata
•  1:30-1:50 p.m.: Peter Raymundo/John Patrick Green
•  1:55-2:15 p.m.: Tracey West/Greg Foley

Special performance of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Children’s Theatre | 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

•  You know the story. Three pigs build houses, the one who builds with bricks avoids the Big Bad Wolf and lives to tell the tale. But is that what really happened, or just porcine propaganda? In this brilliant parody of the famous fairy tale, we follow the Big Bad Wolf as he stands trial for his purported deeds. Based on John Scieszka’s wildly popular book, this courtroom-farce-meets-musical is sure to please…it would be a crime to miss it!

Become an EpicFest volunteer

EpicFest is epic because of the amazing volunteers who make it happen. Email Chauna Wall to be a part of the magic.

EpicFest is presented by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library with generous support from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Libby Preston Children’s Literary Fund, American Airlines, Publix Super Markets Charities and Alpha & Omega.