Texas Border Business
McAllen Public Library invites the community to “Celebrate Vida!” at its 11th Annual South Texas Book Festival, taking place at the Main Library, 4001 N. 23rd St., from Tuesday, October 29 to Saturday, November 2. This free event, sponsored by H-E-B Helping Here, offers a nearly weeklong celebration of culture and imagination through a lineup of diverse authors and engaging events.
Leading up to the festival, all MPL branches will host Pet Week at the Library, a special event series featuring storytime, crafts, and activities celebrating the joy of pets. Special guests and community partners will join in on the fun, including appearances by MPL’s mascot, Marty the Library Cat.
The festival officially kicks off with Vida Verse: A Celebration of South Texas Poets on Tuesday, October 29 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. On Wednesday, October 30 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., the festival will host Un Cafecito with the Authors, a ticketed session featuring a book discussion over coffee and pastries. Families are encouraged to join in costume for the annual Trick-or-Treat Trailthroughout the entire facility on Thursday, October 31 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., a fun and safe event for children and families.
The festival’s main day on Saturday, November 2, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., will feature 25 authors, hands-on activities, food vendors, community partners, and a kiddie train for children. Attendees can purchase books from the festival’s exclusive bookseller, The Storybook Garden, and have them signed by their favorite authors. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of H-E-B Helping Here and the South Texas Literacy Coalition, every child and teen attending the festival will receive a free book to take home.
“Our 11th annual South Texas Book Festival brings the magic of literature to life for our community. From author sessions to family-friendly fun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy,” said Kate Horan, Library Director.
The event originally started as the McAllen Book Festival but was rebranded to South Texas Book Festival in 2018. It is the largest bilingual book festival in the region and has events for all ages. Each year, the event brings in approximately 15,000 attendees to the festival.
This event is possible thanks to many generous sponsors, including H-E-B Helping Here; the McAllen Public Library Advisory Board, and all of its sponsors, including McAllen Orthodontic Group and Dr. David G. Alonzo, Urologic Oncology at DHR Health.
Thanks to H-E-B Helping Here and South Texas Literacy Coalition, every child and teen attending the festival will take home a free book. This continued support ensures the festival’s continued growth and impact within the community.
Recognized internationally, the South Texas Book Festival received 37 awards in 2023, including the Best in Texas Award from the Texas Festival & Events Association and the prestigious Grand Pinnacle Award from the International Festival & Events Association.
For more information, visit www.southtexasbookfestival.com.
