Book Fest 2026

Saturday, May 9 from 10 am - 2 pm

At Wisner Park and the LECOM Event Center in Downtown Elmira

The Family Reading Partnership of the Chemung Valley Presents: Book Fest 2026: Go Wild for Books! Book Fest is a family friendly event offering free book-centered fun. This year featuring children’s musician, John Simon and magician, juggler and stilt walker, John Wolfson. Visit local authors, character readers, community organizations with games, crafts and activities and a free petting zoo in the LECOM Event Center. Free new books for children while supplies last.

Food available for purchase: LECOM Event Center, B&C Hots and Kool Treats Ice Cream 

Print version of the poster (PDF)

Overview

Featured Performers:

John Simon, Musician; John Wolfson, Magic, juggling and stilt walking; Richard Hughson, Puppetry.

Featuring authors

Kevin Coolidge, Charde Vera, Jessica Janowsky, Katrina Morse, Patrick T. Fibbs and illustrator Lee O’Connell.

Community participants

Tanglewood Nature Center, Friends of the Chemung River Watershed, GST BOCES Animal Sciences, CIDS, Cornell Cooperative Extension Urban Green Equity Project, The National Soaring Museum, and MORE! Keep checking back for updates!

Featured Performers

John Simon - Musician

John Simon has been performing in schools for his whole life. Based in Ithaca, he works with the Hangar Theatre's Education Department, he's the co-creator of the Children's Reading Connection's "Sing Me a Story, Read Me a Song" project, and has worked with the Elmira Schools for many years. Stop by for some sing-along magical fun!

About John: johnsimonmusic.com

Walk Around Entertainment with Richard Hughson

Richard Hughson has been entertaining audiences of all ages for over thirty years. Trained in mime, magic, martial arts, hospital clowning, and physical comedy, he has been an actor, director, storyteller, and growing out his naturally white beard allows him to portray a renowned seasonal character.

He is a founding member of Flower City Vaudeville, Easily Amused, and most recently, The Laughing Classroom. He has performed in fairs, festivals, schools, and libraries across western New York and northern Pennsylvania including seven years running at the Rochester Fringe Fest.

Richard Hughson’s website: thelaughingclassroom.com

Entertainment Schedule

John Simon - TBA

John Wolfson - TBA

Richard Hughson TBA

Featured Authors

Kevin Coolidge

Kevin Coolidge is currently the author of fifteen children's books and the creator of the Totally Ninja Raccoons. He's available for school presentations from kindergarten to 5th grade. Presentations include providing information on the writing process and encouraging fun in literacy.

 He's especially good with kids, but is open to speaking with other groups as well. As a bookstore owner, Kevin can talk about books, small business, literacy, and most aspects of popular culture, in addition to his books. He resides in Wellsboro, PA, just a short hike from the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

When he's not writing, you can find him at From My Shelf Books & Gifts, an independent bookstore he runs with his lovely wife, Kasey; several helpful employees; and two friendly bookstore cats, Huck & Finn.

He's recently become an honorary member of the Cat Board, and when he's not scooping the litter boxes, getting status reports on the squirrels, or feeding Gypsy her tuna, he's writing more stories about the Totally Ninja Raccoons.

Kevin Coolidge’s Website: kevincoolidge.org

Charde Vera

Charde Vera is an author, US Navy veteran, loving wife, and mother of two. Her mission is to build confidence and self-esteem through the power of books! She currently has three affirmation children’s books and a guided journal. She believes that words are important and that how we speak into and over our lives sets the foundation for our future. When she is not working on her next literary works Charde enjoys reading, vlogging, and traveling with her family.

Charde Vera Website: chardevera.com

Jessica Janowsky

Jessica Janowsky is an educator and a yoga and mindfulness instructor. She is a scholar, always learning and actively seeking opportunities to learn about herself, others, and the world. She enjoys reading, fitness, and being in nature. Her goal is to touch people of all ages through her stories about metta (love and kindness) and to inspire others to rise to the challenge of using their strengths in service to help the world a more loving and peaceful place. 

Katrina Morse

Katrina Morse is a children’s book author and illustrator, graphic designer, painter, and art educator. She grew up in Elmira and now lives in Ithaca. She loves learning from children and promoting peaceful conflict resolution and friendship. Morse also loves creating and enjoys painting and teaching at the Blue Door Studio. Find children’s book activities, order books, and schedule an author visit at katrinamorse.com.

Patrick T. Fibbs

Patrick T. Fibbs is the pen name of author Patrick Thomas who has written over 60 books and 150 short stories.

As Patrick T. Fibbs, he writes the middle reader series The Undead Kid Dairies, the Babe B. Bear Mysteries, Joy Reaper Checks Out, and the YA Emotional Support Nightmare. For younger readers, he writes the Ughabooz picture and chapter books and the Fuschia The Mermaid picture books with artist Lee O'Connell.

Patrick works as a Physical Therapist with kids in schools. He lives with his wife, 2 kids, a dog, a cat, and several imaginary friends. Patrick has also worked as a paperboy, library page, a tutor, running games in an amusement park, as a movie usher, a teacher’s aide, a salesman, done phone sales and surveys as well as stocking shelves in a supermarket. He has been a DJ on the radio, an altar boy, an editor, an artist, flown an open cockpit plane, sold the shirt off of someone’s back, and has been known to howl at the moon.  

Please visit his website at PatrickTFibbs.com.

Lee O’Connell- Illustrator

Lee O’Connell is primarily a watercolor artist. She began her artistic career after retiring as Director of Admissions, from Chemung Valley Montessori School in Big Flats. She loves the freedom of watercolor, and the unknown possibilities it offers. She is very energetic and lively when she paints, literally throwing paint at the paper to see what happens. Fushia is the first book she has illustrated, and she found it to be a fun and different way to express herself using Patrick’s words as inspiration.

Lee’s Website: leeoconnell.net