The fate of the Mississippi Book Festival will be determined next month, once organizers have a clearer picture of how it could be affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Organizers of the annual event will decide in May whether to cancel the 2020 festival or move ahead with it as planned.
Right now, the event is slated for August 15, 2020.
Executive Director Holly Lange said the decision has to be made so early, in part, for logistical reasons.
“We don’t want to get into contracts with vendors if we have to cancel in August,” she said. “That way, vendors aren’t out of money and we haven’t made commitments we can’t honor.”
Contracts for the event are typically signed in May, she said.
In light of the outbreak, Lange also is concerned about whether authors would want to travel to the state this year and whether they would want to participate in an event that draws such a large crowd.
Adding to the challenge is that some federal health officials, like Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, believes a second wave of the virus could break out in the fall.
“That gave me pause, but I also know there’s a vaccine in development,” Lange said.
According to the New York Times, several biotech companies were “beginning trials of promising vaccines and treatments for the virus.”
Last year, the festival drew an estimated 10,000 people, including 9,000 who sat in on various panel discussions.
“Would they be comfortable meeting and greeting the public and signing books? Are people going to be comfortable sitting next to each other at Galloway, or at the Capitol?” Lange asked. “Also, we don’t know what the CDC guidelines will be.”
The CDC is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Right now, the agency recommends that people practice social distancing, staying at least six feet away from others.
Panel discussions, which are held at various downtown Jackson venues, including Galloway United Methodist Church and at the Mississippi State Capitol Building, are typically packed, with standing room only.
“We understand there will be a hesitation among the public to participate in large events. That’s why we’re trying to be mindful,” Lange said. “If the CDC and the government say its OK to have the event, are people really going to come?
“If they do come, are we going to be able to produce the level of festival we want? We know it won’t be the same as in the past, with the current environment.”
The festival has been dubbed Mississippi’s Literary Lawn Party, and it’s easy to see why.
The event draws about 180 authors a year, including established writers, as well as up-and-coming and self-published authors.
In addition to the numerous panels, visitors can buy books at numerous tents set up in Authors’ Alley. They can also purchase other items from exhibitors and booksellers located on the Capitol lawn and along Mississippi Street. Numerous food trucks also are set up at the event.
The festival was founded by literary advocates, with the first event being held in 2015. Since then, the event has grown by leaps and bounds. The first year, just 3,200 people attended.
“Typically, people who participate, whether they’re in Authors’ Alley selling books or in a food truck selling tacos, they sell out of everything they have,” Lange said. “So, it’s a big day.”
The event costs approximately $400,000 a year to put on and is funded from private and corporate gifts, as well as in-kind donations.
Funds go toward renting tents, tables, staging and other guest comfort expenses, as well as event marketing. Authors and other notables invited to participate in panel discussions are given a per diem to cover travel and lodging expenses.
Planning for the event began last year, shortly before the 2019 festival was held. The festival employs six contract workers, as well as four or five companies which it uses for creative design, social media promotion, printing and the like.
Last year, about 275 volunteers helped make the event a success, helping with set up and take-down efforts, and providing directions to guests.
Lange doesn’t take canceling the event lightly. “It’s a very challenging decision to make. We feel the festival in August gives everybody something to look forward to, something to anticipate.”
