Let’s have another wonderful year of literacy, learning, and strengthened community connections.

2026 Festival
COMING SEPTEMBER 12th at Frontier Park . 12-5pm

Seal of the state of Pennsylvania featuring a shield with a ship, a plow, and three clovers, flanked by two horses, with a bald eagle above, and a red ribbon with the words 'Virtue, Liberty and Independence,' and text around denoting Pennsylvania's statehood date, April 14, 1787.

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Summer of Reading in the City of Erie

Building a stronger Erie, one story at a time.

This summer, Mayor Daria S. Devlin is launching the Summer of Reading, a citywide initiative focused on expanding access to books, supporting learning, and encouraging residents of all ages to make reading part of their everyday lives.

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Get ready to celebrate storytelling!

The 2026 Lake Erie Literary Festival is returning to Frontier Park bringing together national authors, local voices, and literary lovers of all ages.

Guided by the Erie Art Company's focus on creative placemaking, this year's festival is all about community. We've partnered with the City of Erie. local schools, neighborhood groups, and Erie County Library to create an unforgettable experience. Whether you're looking to attend a craft panel, jump into an interactive writing workshop, enjoy a dynamic spoken-word showcase, or bring the kids to our youth-centered activities, there's something here to spark your imagination and help our local arts community thrive.

Children sitting at a table under a tent, engaging in a craft activity with beads, while an adult stands nearby. Other people are visible in the background at an outdoor event with trees and a food truck.

A young woman in a white dress and sandals playing a violin on an outdoor stage with a painted backdrop of green foliage, surrounded by musical equipment and microphones.

A young girl with blonde hair wearing a white and navy striped dress smiling and holding a Goosebumps book titled "Goblin Monday" in front of a white vehicle with large tires.

A vertical banner advertising a series of workshops with scheduled times and topics, featuring a cartoon illustration of a person with purple hair reading a book in bed.

A banner with logos and text promoting Erie County organizations and initiatives. Includes a QR code with 'Scan Me' label at top right. Logos for Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, Werner Books & Coffee, Erie Art Company, Arrow-Tone Productions, a

A mobile book cart outdoors with books and signs, next to a white shelving unit with children's books and games displayed.

Two women standing under a tent at an outdoor event, with a blackboard menu listing various coffee and snack options, and a large orange beverage dispenser in front.

Four women standing behind a table at an outdoor book event, holding books and smiling, with books and signs on the table, and trees in the background.

A booth at an outdoor event with potted plants on display, a black sign reading 'Neon Plant Co', and various product bottles and informational materials on a table covered with a leafy patterned tablecloth.

Scrabble tiles spelling out 'QUOTH THE RAVEN NEVER AGAIN,' placed on a green table, with a book or brochure about Mercyhurst University and colorful brochures in the background.

A woman with short red hair wearing a green tank top, smiling and holding a colorful book titled 'Kit & Basic', standing in front of a white plastic wall.

People browsing books and items at an outdoor book sale or market near a white bus, with trees in the background.

Table with paper bags labeled for different book categories at an outdoor sale, with a children's swimming pool and chairs in the background.

Woman sitting at a table inside a white tent, smiling and resting her chin on her hand, surrounded by books and promotional signs for a coloring book and bookish accessories.

A protest sign showing a cartoon woman with pink hair, sunglasses, and a blue bow, holding a piece of paper. The word "AUTHORS" is visible at the bottom of the sign in large blue letters.

Two women standing behind a table filled with books, signs, and promotional materials at a book fair or event inside a white tent.

A poster promoting a list of 2452 unique titles targeted for censorship in 2024, with logos of the American Library Association, Erie County Public Library, and Erie Art Company.

A digital graphic highlighting why books are banned, featuring a book cover of 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood. The background is blue with white and red text, and includes logos of Erie County Public Library and Erie Art Company.

People browsing handmade knitted items at an outdoor market stall, with tables of colorful knitted crafts like scarves and hats, under canopy tents on a sunny day.

A black and white cartoon illustration of a dog reclining on a large blanket. The dog has a simple outline style with a rounded nose, floppy ears, and is lying on its side with its head resting on the blanket, looking relaxed and content.

A woman smiling behind a table of books and literary merchandise at a festival inside a large white tent.

A map of Lake Erie Lit Fest with areas for youth, author vendor, performers, workshops, playground, and parking, surrounded by trees and pathways.

A display table with children's books, including 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood, 'Grandad's Camper' by Harry Woodgate, and various pamphlets and notices, set outdoors on a pink tablecloth with a green felt border.

This year’s festival giveaways include an exciting selection of books, and special keepsakes to celebrate our community’s creativity.

AUTHOR TENT

Welcome to the heart of our literary festival. This collection of authors represents a tapestry of voices, each thread woven with unique experiences. Each author brings a distinct flavor to the festival, offering a glimpse into the human experience through the lens of their own unique narrative.

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A cheerful woman with red hair and a green tank top holding a colorful children's book titled 'Kit & Basic Tales from Light Lily.' She is smiling at the camera, standing in front of a plain white wall with natural light.

Children and adults gathered around a table outdoors, engaging in arts and crafts activities with markers and decorative supplies.

CHILDREN TENT

Welcome to the Children's Tent at the Lake Erie Lit Festival! Here, young imaginations soar with authors sharing enchanting stories of adventure, friendship, and discovery. Each storyteller guides journeys through fantastical and relatable tales. Children will explore diverse themes and cultures, inspiring curiosity and creativity. Join us for reading sessions, interactive storytelling, and a chance to meet the voices behind the books that ignite young minds. Let the adventure begin!

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Fight Fascism with the Lake Erie Lit Fest 2026

Fascism thrives on censorship and the suppression of ideas. In partnership with the Erie County Public Library, we're giving away free banned books to empower our community with knowledge and activate critical thinking.

Your donation to Lake Erie Lit Fest directly supports this vital initiative, helping us put essential literature into the hands of readers and push back against the forces that seek to control what we read and think.

Visit Erie County Public Library’s Banned Books Exhibit at Lake Erie Lit Fest to explore the books being challenged today. Take home a copy (while supplies last) and decide for yourself what warrants a book ban.

Join us in defending freedom of speech and the right to read. Donate today to fight fascism, one banned book at a time!