Spring festival celebrates the library
Families walk from the Kalispell library to the Spring Festival at the Conrad Mansion grounds in 2023. (Courtesy of Lune Axelsen)
Friends of the Library in Flathead County are hosting the second annual Library Spring Festival on Sunday, May 19.
The festival will feature outdoor activities for all ages. New in 2024, the festival will include a Flathead Valley LitFest, hosting three panels of local authors that same afternoon.
“We started the Spring festival in 2023 to bring our community together for a fun afternoon in support of our public library,” said Jill Carlberg, president of the Friends of the Library. “We had a wonderful afternoon, attracting a good crowd, and knew we wanted to hold it again in 2024. By adding a LitFest alongside the other festival activities, we hope to extend further into our community and develop an event to explore, nurture, and enjoy literature together.”
Flathead County Library Director Teri Dugan encourages families to come enjoy the festival. “The Library Spring Festival is a delightful event. I appreciate the dedication of our Friends of the Library volunteers — they play such an important role in supporting our local library,” she said. “Bring the whole family out to enjoy a fun day of activities and the opportunity to explore and experience all the library has to offer.”
The Flathead Valley LitFest brings together 11 local authors on three panels titled: Mysteries Made in Montana, Montana: The Last Best Place, and Something for Everyone: Genre Fiction. Book sales and signings are available between panel discussions.
“In organizing the LitFest, I was impressed with the breadth and depth of local talent we have in Flathead County,” said Laura Hill, treasurer of the Friends of the Library. “We are grateful for the authors’ enthusiasm to be a part of this inaugural event and expect to have some lively discussions.”
The festival will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 19 on the grounds at Conrad Mansion. There will be live music and refreshments. Guests can either join a fun walk to the festival from the Kalispell Library at 1:15 p.m. or go directly to the festival at 1:30 p.m.
The event is free. For more information, visit: imagineiffriends.com/festival