Saturday, July 13, 2024

10-4 pm, Schlow Library grounds

Help us celebrate! Check out the authors, illustrators, and vendors planned for this celebration of the written (& illustrated) word during the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. 


Submit your application for BookFestPA 2024! 

Library Foundation Book Sale 

10am - 4pm 

 Schlow Library Downsbrough Community Room


Don’t miss Schlow Library Foundation’s inaugural book sale in the Downsbrough Community Room. Gently used bestsellers, graphic novels, and a spectrum of limited-run roleplaying games are featured, along with literary-themed gifts for the book-dragon at home.

Costume Contest with Setsucon

1pm - 2pm, Schlow Library grounds 


Show off your creative flair in the annual BookFestPA Costume Contest sponsored by Setsucon.  Celebrate favorite fandoms by showing off the costumes of the characters you love.  Check-in at the BookFest tent at 1pm in character for your number.  Mingle around the author's tents for the hour.  Our judges will evaluate the costumes within the hour and announce the winners at 2pm.  

For everyone’s comfort and safety, please keep in mind the following...

Costume Contest Rules: 

Consider: 

-Common sense: Please keep all costumes family friendly, wear shoes, etc.

-Mobility: It’s a fairly big lot, but having a 10 ft wingspan won’t fly. Please keep in mind how much space your cosplay takes up, and how easily it is to move around while wearing it, and adjust accordingly. Please also make sure that all face masks are removable.  

-Weather/Seasonally appropriate: We don’t want anyone to get heat stroke! We will be outside in 80℉+ weather, with little shade. Jon Snow didn’t wear his furs south of Winterfell, perhaps neither should you.

-Weapons and Prop policy: All props and weapons must be checked and approved at our check in desk. Absolutely NO real, projectile or realistic weapons will be permitted. Arts Fest also asks that you do not carry any weapon props around the rest of the festival. Acceptable props can be made of wood, plastic, foam, or similar material. Props cannot be over 7ft tall, more than 5ft wide, or weigh over 50 lbs. No live steel, metal, guns, chemicals or explosives will be permitted. Props must not have any sharp edges or chains longer than 18 in.


Prizes include complimentary badges to Setsucon 2023, gift cards to local comic/game shops, or your pick from new books and graphic novels courtesy of Schlow Library.