The steering committee for the upcoming 53rd annual Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival regretfully informs you that the festival and all associated activities are cancelled.
Out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of festival participants, the committee made the decision to cancel the festival due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus). No participants have been diagnosed with COVID-19, nor are they showing symptoms; however, a number of speakers and participants have indicated that they will be unable to travel to the festival.
We understand this is a major inconvenience to festival-goers and a loss to the City of Hattiesburg from an economic and tourism standpoint, but the health and safety of all involved is being prioritized. We hope all of those who are impacted by this cancellation will understand and respect this decision.
Please visit the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival website (https://www.usm.edu/childrens-book-festival) for information on registration return options, or contact registration coordinator Adrienne Patterson (Adrienne.Patterson@usm.edu) with questions regarding previous registration.
Submitted by
Karen Rowell
Assistant to Director & Special Events Coordinator/Children’s Book Festival Coordinator
The University of Southern Mississippi