Holly Lange, executive director of the Mississippi Book Festival, describes herself as organized, disciplined and always on time. Those are precisely the characteristics needed to ensure the state’s largest literary lawn party goes off without a hitch from year to year.
Lange sits down with Conversations’ host Marshall Ramsey to talk about the festival’s history, the impact it has on Mississippi and her role in making it happen. The episode airs at 5:30 p.m. August 5 on MPB Television. Encore presentations are set for 10 p.m. August 9 and 11:30 a.m. August 12.
This year’s festival is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. August 18 at the State Capitol in downtown Jackson. Thousands of book lovers, writers and authors are expected to flood the Capitol’s lawn as they have in years past to mix and mingle. The day’s activities will include panel discussions, book signings, live music, tours, food trucks and kid/teen activities. It’s all free and open to the public.
“The literary heritage here is just remarkable,” said Lange, who was approached several years ago about organizing the festival. With a vision and plan in place, Lange turned her efforts into fundraising. Since 2015, the event has attracted more and more people, particularly those who wouldn’t otherwise consider visiting the Magnolia State. “Visiting authors leave Mississippi with the most wonderful feeling,” she said.
