On October 7, the Warwick Children’s Book Festival welcomed authors, illustrators, and community members to celebrate children’s literature, despite the inclement weather. As a result of the rain, the annual festival was relocated to the Warwick Valley Middle School gymnasium, where hundreds gathered to purchase books, read to therapy dogs, and enjoy music, crafts, food trucks, and more.
Preparation for the event, which typically takes place at Stanley-Deming Park, was well underway when, just days beforehand, it became apparent that the forecast would force us indoors. As a result, with just 48 hours to go, we were able to successfully change course — but we could not have done it without the support and flexibility of so many in the Warwick community, whose contributions made this year’s event an enormous success.
First, the annual Warwick Children’s Book Festival could not take place without the generous and continuous support of its principal sponsors, Glenn P. and Susan D. Dickes. Their extraordinary philanthropy enhances the work of so many organizations throughout our community, and as a result, the lives of so many Warwick residents.
Next, we appreciate the village of Warwick and Mayor Michael Newhard’s generous support of the festival, and the tireless work of the Village DPW. Although the festival was ultimately relocated due to weather, DPW Supervisor Mike Moser, Village Clerk Raina Abramson and others fielded months of emails and calls, to ensure that the park would be prepared for the event — and for that, we cannot thank them enough.
Finally, without the support of Warwick Valley Central School District and the work of Darcy Halbig, Mark Thompson, Ab Hamdoun, and their colleagues, this year’s festival might not have been possible. In less than 48 hours and with their help, we were able to relocate all our authors, books, volunteers, vendors and supplies to the gymnasium at Warwick Valley Middle School, which proved an exceptional alternative to our original location! In the gym, we were able to spread out, allowing more room for shopping and socializing, while staying warm and dry on an otherwise cold, rainy autumn day.
In addition to those above, there are so many more to thank. From Cheryl Rogowski, who always welcomes us to the Warwick Valley Farmers’ Market to promote the event, and Price Chopper for generously providing water for our authors, to the countless businesses large and small that allow us to plant yard signs or use their bulletin boards to get the word out — we thank you. To the army of teen volunteers who help in the months ahead and on the day of the festival, and whose energy and strength are unmatched — we thank you. To Branson and Coalby, our four-legged friends who patiently sit while children read their newly signed books — we thank you. And last but not least, to the behind-the-scenes staff of Albert Wisner Public Library, who begin planning each festival immediately after the last child leaves and the final books are sold — we simply could not do this without you.
Thank you to all those mentioned and unmentioned (you know who you are) for the role you play in this event’s success, and thank you, community members, for venturing out to help celebrate your love of children’s literature.
Emily, Judy, Tamara & Billie
WCBF Co-coordinators