A love of books brings Bucks County together at annual festival

The Bucks County Book Festival returned to Doylestown this year with its biggest celebration yet, an event that not only highlights books and authors but also shows just how much the community has come to embrace it.

Now in its eighth year, this multi-day festival took place last month and featured everything from author panels and book signings to movie screenings and family-friendly activities. 

But its main event took place Saturday, May 2 at Broad Commons Park, where thousands gathered for a full day of free literary programming, entertainment, and hands-on experiences.

“It felt like this year we had double the number of attendees from last year, and three times the energy,” said Festival Chair Melissa D. Sullivan, adding that approximately 2,000 people attended last year.

The Bucks County Book Festival began eight years ago as a modest gathering organized by local resident Elle Green, who saw an opportunity to bring a large-scale literary event to a region rich in arts and culture. What started as a small event in the parking lot behind the Doylestown Bookshop has gradually evolved into a well-attended and much-anticipated community celebration in the center of town.

The Doylestown and Lahaska Bookshops have played a central role in the festival’s growth, particularly in shaping its literary programming.

“They are at the heart of Book Fest,” Sullivan said. “They have such deep knowledge of the industry and what readers are excited about, and they make the authors feel right at home in Doylestown.”

Their involvement has been key in bringing nationally recognized writers to the festival while keeping its focus rooted in the local community.

Sullivan equally credits the festival’s growth to its strong partnership with Discover Doylestown, the festival’s parent organization that has supported the event since its earliest days, helping provide the structure and resources needed to sustain it year after year. 

Sullivan has been part of this journey from the beginning.

“I attended that first year, and it was such a great event that I was hooked,” she said. “Every year since, it’s changed a little bit and grown.”

After Green moved away two years ago, the festival underwent a leadership transition that brought in dozens of community members to help sustain and expand it. Sullivan stepped into a larger role last year and served as chair for this year’s event.

“It’s really been a wonderful opportunity to be with other book lovers,” said Sullivan, an avid reader and writer. “These are the people who get really excited about what they’re reading.”

That enthusiasm translated into record participation this year, with nearly double the number of authors from last year and a significant increase in vendors and community partners.

This year’s main festival featured more than 50 nationally recognized authors across genres, offering panels and discussions throughout the day.

Visitors browsed books, met writers, and explored a wide variety of vendor tents, including the popular Indie Author Popup Tent, sponsored by Commonplace Reader in Yardley.

“One of my favorite parts is seeing the local authors connect with readers,” Sullivan said. “Writing can be such a solitary activity, so to come out and meet people who are excited about your work; it’s incredibly rewarding.”

In total, about 40 local authors participated in the Indie tent, alongside nationally recognized writers featured in panel discussions.

Food trucks lined the streets, offering festivalgoers a range of dining options. And after feedback from last year’s event, organizers made sure to include one key addition.

“When you have a bunch of writers and book lovers all in one place, you need a coffee vendor,” Sullivan said. “So we made sure to have that this year.”

The festival once again delivered a strong lineup for younger attendees through its Kids Fest Tent, which featured children’s and middle-grade authors, storytimes, and interactive programming.

“I always describe it as like a Scholastic Book Fair, except the authors themselves are there,” Sullivan said. “Kids can pick out books, get them signed, and actually talk to the authors.”

Families also enjoyed face painting, balloon animals, and crafts, including activities hosted by the Michener Museum and local educators.

Community organizations played a visible role throughout the day. The Bucks County Free Library brought its Bookmobile, giving attendees the chance to browse and sign up for library services, while Roxey Therapy Dogs offered a unique opportunity for children to read to trained therapy animals.

“It’s such a nice experience, especially for early readers,” Sullivan said.

Beyond the scheduled programming, it was the unexpected moments that helped define this year’s festival.

One standout came from the Doylestown Historical Society, which incorporated a town crier into the event as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

“They came and read a Book Fest proclamation right in the middle of the fairgrounds,” Sullivan said. “Everyone stopped and applauded, and their appearance suddenly became a celebration around books.”

Behind the scenes, volunteers played a crucial role in keeping everything running smoothly.

“We are lucky to have a dedicated executive committee of 11 who work all year to plan all the fun,” says Sullivan. “Then, for the dates of the festival, the book lovers of Bucks County come out in full force.”

This year, the festival worked with 168 volunteers. Some logged more than eight miles walking throughout the day as they coordinated logistics, assisted attendees, and supported vendors.

While Saturday served as the festival’s centerpiece, the week’s programming extended well beyond Broad Commons Park.

The festival opened on Wednesday, April 29, with a Movie Night at the County Theater, featuring a screening of “The First Wives Club”. Attendees embraced the theme, dressing as characters inspired by Diane Keaton and participating in a look-alike contest.

On Thursday, April 30, the festival hosted its keynote event, featuring bestselling romance author Tessa Bailey in conversation with Nisha Sharma at Salem United Church of Christ. The event drew attendees from across the region, demonstrating the growing reach of the festival.

“We get people from hours away, especially for the keynote,” Sullivan said. “It’s amazing how far people will travel for something they really love.”

The festival concluded on Sunday, May 3, with a free family screening of “Paddington” at the County Theater, where children were invited to bring stuffed animals and participate in a storytime experience.

Overall, the Bucks County Book Festival aims to celebrate literacy, spark imagination, and build community, and this year’s event reflected those goals in action.

“It’s an opportunity for people to come together around something that is joyful,” Sullivan said. “To get involved with books and reading and have some fun with it.”

That sense of purpose has helped the festival continue to grow, attracting an increasingly diverse audience and expanding its reach across Bucks County and beyond.

“We’re always trying to serve everyone,” Sullivan said. “All ages, all backgrounds; it’s about bringing people together.”

“When people left, I hope they felt energized,” Sullivan said. “That they discovered something new, whether it was a book, an author, or even just a new way of thinking.”

Even as this year’s festival concluded, planning for the next one was already on the horizon.

“We give ourselves about a month to recharge,” Sullivan said. “Then we start planning again.”

Her long-term vision is to ultimately grow the festival into a premier event, one that draws visitors from across the region while maintaining its strong local roots.

For more information about the Bucks County Book Festival, visit bucksbookfest.org

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