TOPEKA – The Kansas Humanities Council recently awarded the Sunflower State Book Festival Committee of Osborne, Kansas a $2,500.00 grant in support of the 2010 Sunflower State Book Festival.  The festival brings together Kansas authors, illustrators, and others involved in the literary field.  The festival will take place October 8th & 9th, 2010 in Osborne.  Karen Wallace, Osborne Public Librarian, is the project director.  The book festival committee is happy to bring this event to Osborne, Kansas. 

            The October 8th Friday night kickoff will be an open house at the Osborne Public Library to honor Merriam, Kansas mystery writer Nancy Pickard as this year’s recipient of the Don Coldsmith Award.  This award is given annually to a distinguished Kansas author whose lifetime contributions have utilized the written word to enhance the proud literary legacy of the Sunflower State.  The public can stop in at the library and visit with Mrs. Pickard from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. There will be books written by Mrs. Pickard available to purchase and have her sign.  The evening will conclude with an informal presentation by Mrs. Pickard discussing her writings.

            The doors to the Festival will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, October 9th, at the Osborne High School Gymnasium located at 215 West Washington Street in Osborne.  Book publishers and authors from across the state will have booths set up to showcase their books about Kansas.  Door prizes of Kansas books will be drawn for on the hour.  Admission for the public is free and a lunch stand will be on the site.  There is a limited number of booth spaces still available for any exhibitor who might wish to participate.

“Humanities Grants support projects that connect people with ideas and engage audiences with the humanities,” said Julie Mulvihill, Executive Director of the Kansas Humanities Council.  “The Sunflower State Book Festival will bring together book lovers and the many Kansas authors writing in and about our state.”

The Kansas Humanities Council conducts and supports community-based programs, serves as a financial resource through an active grant-making program, and encourages Kansans to participate in their communities.  For more information contact the Kansas Humanities Council at 785/357-0359 or visit online at www.kansashumanities.org. 

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745 C 388 Drive, east of Osborne, KS.  Joe Hubbard & Laura McClure, Proprietors.  785-346-5217   www.riverbend-retreat.com   [FULL:  NO VACANCY]