A fabulous day full of words and writers and readers. Here's just a few photos of the day devoted to the magic of writing and reading. Bestselling, internationally recognized Canadian author of terrific thrilling novels, Linwood Barclay, kept the full house audience entertained and engaged at the Big Book Club in conversation with Ruth E. Walker.

Thanks Janis Parker and Parker Pad & Printing for your wonderful sponsorship of our daytime program. Thanks to John & Kathy from Master's Book Store for bringing so many titles of Linwood's books for him to sign as he chatted with avid readers. Thanks to the excellent support of the Minden Community Centre staff, making set up and take down a simple process. Even a short-lived power blackout was not going to stop us from connecting readers with over 30 local and visiting authors.

And our volunteers! Wow -- you were stalwart supporters of the day's events, welcoming everyone coming through the doors and doing so much behind the scenes to make Bookapalooza 2024 a great success.

The whole day was topped off with a great buffet dinner with Linwood and Neetha Barclay at the Dominion Hotel & Pub in downtown Minden. Thanks Shawn and Ellie for your sponsorship, and cheers to you and your terrific staff who served our guests.

We had the support of other sponsors as well -- Kontos Real Estate sponsored our delightful Mocktail Bar. And thanks to Haliburton Framing & Photo, Oakview Coliving, Fleming College's Haliburton School of Art & Design, Tamarack Lodge Cottage Resort & Art Centre, and Writescape, for their support.

Bookapalooza is a fundraising event for the Arts Council ~ Haliburton Highlands, to help them provide resources, events and support to local artists of all kinds. Stay tuned for our plans for 2025. And we're always open to ideas and input, so please share any and all comments. We'll continue to finetune this event to go from strength to strength!