The city of Hickory is gearing up for a celebration of the literary arts with the debut of the Hickory Literary Festival, set to take place on April 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to an announcement by Hickory Public Library, the event will feature readings, workshops, and performances open to enthusiasts of all ages at the SALT Block, with no charge for admission.
Among the attractions is the participation of Lucky Diaz, a multi-Latin Grammy Award-winning children's artist. Offering a musical performance at 4 p.m., Diaz is also the acclaimed author of "La Guitarrista," a book celebrated this year in Lenoir-Rhyne University's The Little Read. The festival will be a family-friendly event rich with various vendors, as well as interactive writing workshops and literacy-related activities.
For those looking to sharpen their literary craft, writing workshops will be available conducted by Laura Hope-Gill, Mark Coltrain, and Molly Bass. Designed to inspire and guide aspiring writers, these workshops are nestled throughout the day's schedule. Tony Robles will lead poetry sessions during the festival, the host of the popular radio show and podcast "Listen and Be Heard," providing a platform for both seasoned and budding poets.
Visitors to the festival will have the chance to hear from a line-up of authors sharing their experiences in the writing and publishing realms. Scheduled to talk about their work, Charlotte-based historical fiction author Joy Callaway will take the stage at 1 p.m., followed by Hickory’s own Marissa Eller, discussing her romantic comedy "Joined at the Joints" at 2 p.m. The sequence will continue, highlighted by Joyce Moyer Hostetter speaking at 3 p.m., a writer known for her middle-grade historical novels.
Attendees are also offered complimentary access to the Catawba Science Center, adding an educational twist to the day's festivities. The Hickory Literary Festival comes to fruition courtesy of presenting sponsor Corning, with additional support from First Horizon Bank and APB Search, Inc. The venue, SALT Block, located in front of Patrick Beaver Memorial Library, is a cultural arts hub that amalgamates Sciences, Arts, and Literature on a single city block.
