Oberlin Edible Book Festival

February 16, 2024

Edible Book Festival Logo

The Oberlin College Libraries and the Oberlin Public Library are joining forces to inaugurate the first annual Oberlin Edible Book Festival on Monday, April 1, 2024. Sponsored by each libraries’ Friends group, the event brings the community together through creative—and edible—literary works of art inspired by a favorite book.

Submissions might include a cake in the shape of a book, a confection decorated with a scene from a novel, an edible character from a book, a delectable interpretation of a poem, or a scrumptious pun on a favorite title (Catsup on the Rye, anyone?). Oberlin Public Library Director David Fausnaugh says, “Our community has a lot of talented, creative individuals and we are excited to see their skills on display.”

The Edible Book Festival is open to everyone in the community. Individuals, groups, clubs, and school classes are all encouraged to participate. If you don’t have time to bake, join us in admiring and tasting the entries 11-1 in StudiOC! [Public viewing and voting, 11-12. Awards announced at noon. Public Eating of Entries, 12-1!]

All entries will be exhibited, documented, and judged by local celebrities before the audience digs in. Prizes will be awarded for the best in several categories. Celebrity judges include: Professor Danielle Skeehan, who teaches food studies courses, Councilwoman Eboni Johnson, and Joe Waltzer, proprietor of Black River Cafe.

Oberlin College Library Director Valerie Hotchkiss, explained the history of the Edible Book Festival. “Bibliophiles, book artists, and food lovers around the world gather at libraries at this time of the year to celebrate the book arts and encourage a taste (literally!) for reading.”

The Oberlin Edible Book Festival is jointly sponsored by the Oberlin College Libraries and the Oberlin Public Library and their Friends groups and supported by the generous help of campus and community volunteers and prize donors. We are thrilled to inaugurate this tradition here in Oberlin with the First Oberlin Edible Book Festival and hope it continues for years to come.

How To Register

Registration is not required, but we strongly encourage you to let us know if you will be participating so that we can be ready for you.

• Go to the Edible Website to register an entry and get more information.