JACKSON — Celebrities, local writers and families filled the Mississippi State Capitol grounds and nearby venues on Sept. 26 for the annual Mississippi Book Festival, a daylong gathering of readings, panels, workshops and book giveaways aimed at celebrating literacy and the state’s literary community.
High-profile guests and hometown voices
The festival drew a diverse lineup that included Mississippi native rapper and music executive Rick Ross, who appeared in an artist-in-conversation event at Galloway United Methodist Church, and actor-comedian Kate McKinnon, who performed in character as Dr. G. Edwina Candlestank. Their appearances were part of a broad program of sessions that ranged from craft-focused workshops to panels on storytelling and community libraries.
Local and regional authors were prominent throughout the schedule: Mychal Threets signed copies of “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy,” while authors Jasmine Holmes, Isabelle Spotts and Kelly McWilliams joined moderator Mimi Bishop for a panel titled “The Stories That Haunt Us.” Writer Steve Almond led a hands-on writing workshop, and social media creator and Mississippi advocate Brett Kenyon engaged volunteers and attendees about community outreach.
Free books and community access
The Mississippi Library Commission operated a free “book house” on the Capitol grounds, where festivalgoers browsed and claimed titles at no cost. Volunteers staffed information booths throughout the event, helping attendees navigate schedules, session locations and signing lines.
- Multiple venues used: Mississippi State Capitol and Galloway United Methodist Church
- Events included panels, author talks, writing workshops and free book distribution
- Featured guests mixed national names and Mississippi literary figures
Attendees left with stacks of newly purchased and complimentary books, and with time to meet authors between panels. The festival’s programming covered a range of genres and formats, reflecting an effort to reach both longtime readers and newcomers, including young families.
Local impact and aims
Organizers said the festival’s goals include promoting reading, supporting library services and spotlighting Mississippi’s writers. While the day’s schedule connected nationally known entertainers to local audiences, much of the festival’s activity emphasized community-building: school groups, volunteer teams and independent booksellers participated alongside nonprofit library initiatives.
For Jackson, the festival is also a cultural draw that brings visitors downtown and activates spaces around the Capitol and neighborhood churches. Photo captions from the day show crowds browsing books, panel discussions in packed rooms and long signing lines — evidence of the appetite for literary events in the capital.
Program highlights and practical details
Highlights from the Sept. 26 program included celebrity talks, the writing workshop, the haunted-stories panel and a series of children’s activities. Volunteers and staff provided schedules and maps to guide attendees between the Capitol and satellite venues.
| Participant | Role/Session |
|---|---|
| Rick Ross | Artist-in-conversation (Galloway UMC) |
| Kate McKinnon | Performance/appearance as Dr. G. Edwina Candlestank |
| Mychal Threets | Book signing: I’m So Happy You’re Here |
| Steve Almond | Writing workshop |
Organizers encouraged attendees to consult the Mississippi Book Festival website and social channels for future programming and volunteer opportunities. The Mississippi Library Commission’s presence underscored the festival’s ongoing partnership with public libraries across the state.
As the festival wrapped, volunteers and authors packed up tables and stacks of unsold books, while many attendees lingered to discuss panels and plan visits to local bookstores and libraries. The event’s blend of celebrity appearances and grassroots literary engagement reflected a continued push to expand readership and make authors accessible to Mississippi communities.
Coverage of the festival included photographs of authors interacting with audience members, volunteers distributing information and families collecting books, capturing the day’s mix of spectacle and neighborhood-level connection.
For Mississippians interested in similar events, public libraries and literary organizations around the state often host author talks, reading groups and book fairs year-round; the Mississippi Book Festival remains the largest single gathering drawing those elements together in Jackson each fall.
