Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest Celebrates 30 Years

CHICAGO, May 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago Tribune is gearing up for the 30^th anniversary celebration of Printers Row Lit Fest, the largest free literary event in the Midwest. This year's headlining authors include 2014 Chicago Tribune Young Adult Literary Award winner James Patterson, Stuart Dybek, Marlo Thomas, Walter Mosley, Lorrie Moore, Colson Whitehead and many more. Held in the historic Printers Row neighborhood along Dearborn between Congress and Polk Streets, the festival runs Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Founded in 1985, the two-day literary festival draws more than 150,000 book lovers in celebration of the written word through author talks, special programming and unique exhibits. Over 200 booksellers from across the country display and sell new, used and antiquarian books. All events are free, but tickets must be reserved in advance for select programs.

"Printers Row Lit Fest is something we look forward to every year, but this year's 30^th anniversary celebration is particularity special as it honors Chicago's deep commitment to storytelling and the written word," said Gerry Kern, Senior Vice President and Editor of the Chicago Tribune.

Sponsors of this year's fair include Acura, C-SPAN, Celebrity Cruises, Chicago Public Library, Columbia College, Guild Literary Complex and Mystery Writers of America. CSPAN2's Book TV is scheduled to broadcast live on location during both days of the festival.

The Lit Fest will celebrate its 30^th year with a special selection of programming celebrating the past, present and future of the Chicago literary scene, including flashback events featuring MTV VJ Alan Hunter, a special reading by The Second City of "The Breakfast Club" and a performance by the Old Town School of Folk Music's "Wiggleworms." Programming will continue to be announced as it is confirmed at printersrowlitfest.org.

The Lit Fest is part of the Chicago Tribune's Printers Row literary program, a year-round initiative that includes the weekly Printers Row Journal and fiction supplement, regular Printers Row author events, the Printers Row Lit Fest and annual literary awards.

For more information, visit www.printersrowlitfest.org

About Chicago Tribune Media Group

Chicago Tribune Media Group is a media and business services company that publishes the Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Tribune. CTMG also produces related print and interactive media serving Chicagoland like RedEye, Hoy, Chicago magazine, TribLocal, The Mash, chicagotribune.com, chicagonow.com and metromix.com. Reaching 4.8 million adults each week in the greater Chicago area, CTMG is the leading news and information destination in Chicagoland.  

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140516/88455

SOURCE Chicago Tribune