It’s the time of the year when Baltimore book lovers rejoice: the Baltimore Book Festival is back. The festival – a three-day long 
celebration of all things literary – takes place in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor September 22-24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.
What to Expect
Events at the book festival include something for everyone. There will be celebrity appearances, book signings by both local and national authors, readings, panel discussions, booksellers and workshops. More than 100 booksellers, non-profits and literary-oriented vendors get involved with booths at the festival, featuring wares and works for every type of 
reader. From romance to sci-fi to cookbooks to serious literature – every genre is covered.
Plus, it’s fun for the whole family: there are kids’ activities, live music and tons of great food and a wine and craft beer program.
Stages & Venues
Starting September 22, the Baltimore Book Festival will take over the Inner Harbor, with stages and booths stretching from along Pratt Street, near the National Aquarium, all the way to Rash Field.
Many of the venues and stages constructed focus on one particular genre, making it easy for lovers of a certain type of book to find what most interests them. Romance lovers can head to the Maryland Romance Writers Stage,
while those who like cookbooks (and cooking demos) will migrate to the Food for Thought Stage.
Other venues of interest to particular groups include the Charm City Comic Pavilion, the Literary Salon, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Stage, the Radical Bookfair Pavilion, the CityLit Stage, and the Enoch Pratt Free Library Children’s Stage.
Those seeking out some tunes will find them at the Music Stage, which is supported by WTMD, the Towosn University radio station.
Families might also want to seek out The Story Share, which was new last year, at the 2016 festival. The Story Share is a space dedicated to telling favorite stories and sharing new tales in a cozy, fun space near the Visitor Center.
Authors to See
Altogether, the Baltimore Book Festival puts the spotlight on hundreds of different authors over the course of its three days, including 
both presenting authors who speak during the event and authors who share their work at booths in the Tablers Tent.
This year’s list of presenting authors is an impressive one, featuring a diverse group of both locally and nationally known names.
A few highlights include:
- Patricia Altschul, of the TV show “Southern Charm,” who will be on hand in the Literary Salon to discuss her book The Art of Southern Charm
- Baltimore-based chef Kerry Dunnington, who will be on the Food for Thought Stage talking about her book The Seasonal Kitchen
- Critically acclaimed author Alice McDermott, the author of seven novels including Someone; she will appear in the Literary Salon
- Barbecue expert Steven Raichlen, who will discuss his Barbecue Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades on the Food for Thought Stage
- New York Times Bestselling author Kwame Alexander, who will discuss The Playbook on the Enoch Pratt Free Library Children’s Stage
- Brand new YA author Gwendolyn Clare, who will talk about her steampunk novel Ink, Iron and Glass on the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America stage
- Gary Golio, who will speak about his book about Baltimore native Billie Holiday on the Enoch Pratt Free Library Children’s Stage
- Baltimore writer Brigid Kemmerer, who will discuss her YA romance novels on the Maryland Romance Writers Stage
- Baltimore Sun editor John E. McIntyre, who will chat about editing and language on the Ivy Bookshop Stage
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg: there are dozens more engaging authors and literary personalities who will be on hand to talk all things book.
Where to Park
To make the most of the Baltimore Book Festival, park at Harbor Park Garage at 55 Market Place in downtown Baltimore. Conveniently located near I-83, adjacent to the festival location, the garage is prime starting point for a day of books. The garage is also close to many restaurants and bars – perfect places to stop for a drink or a bite to eat to mull over what you saw and who you met during the festival. Plus, the friendly, knowledgeable staff and reasonable prices make Harbor Park Garage an easy, affordable place to start and end your visit. To prepay, visit this link – https://goo.gl/mDibI9
Baltimore Book Festival: http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/
Harbor Park Garage: https://harborparkgarage.com/