Children’s Book Festival 2025
Join us for a Children’s Book Festival at the Main Library. Event is normally held every other year. The 2025 event will feature musician Jim Gill, author & illustrator Blythe Russo, food trucks, carnival games, balloon animals, moonbounce, inflatable obstacle course, costumed characters, and more!
Event date and time
Saturday, October 11: 9 AM – 3 PM
at the Main Library (200 West Washington Street, Bluffton, IN 46714).
Author and Performances in attendance
Find out more about the authors by clicking on their names. There will also be books and CDs for purchase at the event and a chance to get them signed.
- Blythe Russo – author (Blythe will also be presenting at Wells County Schools on Thursday and Friday)
- Jim Gill – musician and author
Event Schedule – schedule is subject to change (please check back later)
- 9:00 am: Doors open – Meet Pigeon
- 9:00 am-2:30 pm: Carnival games, bounce house/obstacle course, and book/CD give-a-ways
- 9:30 am: Jim Gill performance
- 10:45 am: Blythe Russo presentation
- 11 am-2 pm: Balloon animals, local authors, food trucks
- 11:00-11:30 am: Jim Gill book/CD selling/signing
- 11:45 am-12:15 pm: Character and Tail Waggin’ Tutor meet-and-greet
- 12:00 pm: Storywalk tour
- 12:00-12:30 pm: Blythe Russo book selling/signing
- 12:30 pm: Jim Gill performance
- 1:15-1:45 pm: Jim Gill book/CD selling/signing
- 1:45 am-2:15 pm: Character and Tail Waggin’ Tutor meet-and-greet
- 1:30 pm: Blythe Russo presentation
- 2:15-2:45 pm: Blythe Russo book selling/signing
- 3:00 pm: Library doors close
Local Authors/Illustrators – updates coming soon for list of authors for 2025
- Summer Aschliman
- Bryan Ballinger
- Karen Flesch
- Christina Furnish
- Ashley Kumfer
- Holly Mischler
- Emily Roop
- Jayne Schriver
- Beverly Witwer
Food and Truck Vendors
Several local food trucks will be selling meals at the event along Washington Street. You’ll want to make sure you bring some cash with you to enjoy food, but most should accept credit card.
- Uncle Matt’s BBQ Shack – enjoy BBQ and chicken legs for the kids
- Sweet Creations – freeze-dried candy and ice cream
Sponsors
This great event is free for the public because of the generous support of our sponsors.
- Virginia Gene Neuenschwander Youth Fund from the Wells County Foundation
- Friends of the Library
- Wabash Endowment
- Gay Saunders
- Local School PTOs