FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gaithersburg, Md. – October 1, 2019 – The City of Gaithersburg today announced that the Gaithersburg Book Festival will relocate to Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm (506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877) for at least the next two years as a result of planned construction in Olde Towne Gaithersburg that will impact portions of the existing Festival grounds. A large office building on South Summit Avenue is being converted into a new municipal center, housing the City’s Police Department and Council Chambers.

“We are fortunate that Gaithersburg offers many wonderful parks that can provide the idyllic setting that we’ve come to expect for our annual book festival,” said Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman, who is also founder of the Festival. “While we must move from the grounds of City Hall for a couple of years while the new City facility is built, Bohrer Park is in close proximity to Olde Towne and offers many amenities for our attendees to enjoy.”

Bohrer Park is home to an indoor Activity Center, a Miniature Golf Course, Skate Park and Water Park, and has more than 50 acres of open parkland, providing ample space for the growing Festival. It is conveniently located along Route 355, next to Gaithersburg High School. Free Festival parking will be available throughout Olde Towne, located just a few blocks from Bohrer Park, and free shuttle service from the Shady Grove Metro Station and Lakeforest Mall will continue to be available.

Though the location will be changing, book lovers of all ages can expect the same great event as they have experienced for the past decade. The 11th Annual Festival takes place on Saturday, May 16, 2020, and will again bring more than 100 award-winning and best-selling authors to Gaithersburg, including fashion bloggers Tom Fitzgerald and Lorenzo Marquez, The New Yorker’s Mary Norris and The Washington Post humor columnist Gene Weingarten. The Festival also will include writing workshops for children, teens and adults, new and used book sales, exhibitors, entertainment and food, as well as the popular Children’s Village, featuring activities and story time.