Eating their words: The Edible Book Festival served up at library

Published 10:18 am Thursday, March 30, 2017

Food can often be read about in stories, whether it’s the protagonist’s desire for more gruel in Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist,” Willy Wonka’s chocolate in Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” or Dr. Seuss’s “Green Eggs and Ham.”

But this weekend at the Austin Public Library, visitors will see stories literally made out of food.

The Austin Public Library will be hosting its first ever Edible Book Festival, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on  Sunday at the Austin Public Library, in which contestants can make dishes portraying their favorite books. Entries (entrees?) can be made to resemble a book, a favorite literary character, or a scene from a story.

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“I have been following many libraries as close as Rochester and as far away as Rome that participate in the Edible Book Festival,” said Adult Services Librarian Courtney Wyant, who organized the event. “I thought, since we have such a creative community here in Austin, it would be a great chance to celebrate and contribute to this event.”

The possibilities of one’s creative scope in this event are endless as contestants may use any type of food product for their submissions.

“I am hoping to see some contestants use Spam in their creations to give it a little local flare,” Wyant said.

Submissions are open to the public. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 31.

Not interested in submitting an entry but still want to participate? Visitors can come by and vote for their favorite submissions. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Unfortunately, tasting the submissions is not allowed, meaning we may never find out if Edgar Allen Poe’s “Tell-Tale Heart” is sweet or savory.

“I am hoping the Edible Book Festival will celebrate literacy through art, culture and, of course, food,” Wyant said.

Friday

•2nd Floor Gallery Show – Z Puppets Rosenschnoz and Youth Gallery, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Gallery show featuring two shows:  Photography of Z Puppets is an exhibit of photographs showing Austin area students with puppets that they created during a puppet lab workshop conducted by Z Puppets Rosenschnoz and the ArtWorks Center.  Puppet lab workshops use the scientific method to teach puppet making skills, and uses glow-in-the-dark materials and shadow puppetry to expose students to art and science.  The Youth Art Show highlights art from youth across Austin Public Schools from grades 1-8.  It includes a selection of art from all four elementary schools along with art from I. J. Holton Intermediate and Ellis Middle School.  For more information, call 507-434-0934.

•Bingo, 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. at the Austin VFW. Early Bird starting at 5:15 p.m. Open to the public. For more information, call 507-433-6039.

Saturday

•Edible Book Festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Austin Public Library. See above or call 507-433-2391 for more information.

•Silent Auction: Furniture & Displays from Old Interpretive Center, 9 to 11 a.m. at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Take home a piece of history from the Jay C. Hormel Center’s old Interpretive Center! The public is welcome to bid on furniture and displays that will not be moved into the new building. Bidding will close in stages at 11, 11:15, and 11:30 a.m. Coffee and hot chocolate will be served for a donation during the auction. Winning bidders are responsible for moving their items out that day or between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday, April 3.

•Austin Masonic All You Can Eat Pancake Feed, 9 a.m. to Noon at the Austin Masonic Lodge. Featuring pancakes, bacon, sausage, juice, milk and coffee. Proceeds go to Girls HS Soccer.

•Packer Baseball Camp, 9:30 a.m. to Noon at Wescott Field, Packer Dome. Baseball camp done in conjunction with Austin Youth Baseball and Austin All-Stars for ages 10 to 14. Features instruction from Austin High School coaches and players. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. A parent/guardian must be present. The event is free.

•Charlotte’s Web and Life on the Farm, 10 a.m. to Noon at the Austin Public Library. Free family event with skits, stories, songs, arts, books, farm equipment, and more. Sponsored by Austin Art Center, Austin Aspires, Austin Kiwanis Clubs, Austin Public Library, Austin Public Schools ECFE, MacPhail Music Center, Matchbox Children’s Theatre, SEMA Equipment. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

•2nd Floor Gallery Show – Z Puppets Rosenschnoz and Youth Gallery, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Gallery show featuring two shows: Photography of Z Puppets is an exhibit of photographs showing Austin area students with puppets they created during a puppet lab workshop conducted by Z Puppets Rosenschnoz and the ArtWorks Center. Puppet lab workshops use the scientific method to teach puppet making skills, and uses glow-in-the-dark materials and shadow puppetry to expose students to art and science. The Youth Art Show highlights art from youth across Austin Public Schools from grades 1-8. It includes a selection of art from all four elementary schools along with art from I.J. Holton Intermediate and Ellis Middle School. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

•Sweet Stories Children’s Story Time, 10 to 11 a.m. at Sweet Reads Books and Candy. For ages 1 to 7. For more information, call 507-396-8660.

•Kid’s Studio: Dreamcatchers, 10:30 a.m. to Noon at Austin ArtWorks Center. Program for ages 4-13. Cost is $5 per child.

•Shamrock Run 5K and 1 Mile, 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Pacelli Catholic Schools. Early registration by March 20 to guarantee shirt – $20 for youth/student (18 and under); $30 for adult; $75 for family (3 or more in the same household). After March 20 (no shirt guarantee) – $25 for youth/student, $35 for adult, $100 for family. Awards immediately after race – top three finishers male and female in each age category. Post-race party at B & J Bar and Grill – one free beverage provided with bib. Registration forms at Pacelli High School office or at www.pacellischools.org. For more information, call 507-437-3278.

•Jim Jayes, Magician Extraordinaire, 1 to 2 p.m. at Sweet Reads Books and Candy. Enjoy an amazing show of mystery and magic presented by Jim Jayes. For more information, call 507-396-8660.

•Swiss Steak Supper, 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Brownsdale United Methodist Church. Invite a friend and join us for this evening meal, which will include Swiss steak, baked potato with toppings, hot vegetables, lettuce salad/cole slaw, bun and fresh baked pie or dessert. Adults are $10 and children age 5 to 12 are $5. For more information, contact a church member or Susan Amick at 507-567-2644.

•Austin Rotary Club Trivia Night, 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Center. Fun evening with dinner and a trivia contest to raise money to support local literacy efforts. $20 per person includes dinner; bring cash too as correct answers will be for sale. Teams may have up to eight members. Forms obtained by contact Tedd Maxfield at teddmaxfield@gmail.com; forms and checks to be mailed to Tedd Maxfield, c/o Austin YMCA, 704 First Drive NW, Austin, Minnesota, 55912.

•Jokes On Us April Fool’s Comedy Showcase, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. The hilarious Ellen Klein will open and host the show. Jeff Pfoser will top this comedy showcase, with the illustrious Chris Anderson and Jeff Larson performing their SPAM approved material. (Also, some lucky audience member will be walking home in a brand new SPAM T-Shirt!) Tickets now available at the Austin ArtWorks Center (Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or go to www.austinareaarts.org. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of. This is an adult show with adult content appropriate for ages 18+. For more information call 507-434-0934.

•Sola Fide Observatory Viewing, 9 to 10 p.m. at the Sola Fide Observatory. Learn about the night sky from our local experts. From I-90 take Highway 218 south two miles to County Road 28. Turn right (west) one mile to stop sign. Turn south on County Road 29 for one and one-half miles to 180th Street. Turn right for a quarter of a mile – the driveway is on the right. For more information, call Keith at 507-440-1244 or email imstar@smig.net.

Sunday

•Edible Book Festival, 1 to 5 p.m. at the Austin Public Library. See above or call 507-433-2391 for more information.

•Seventh Annual Taste of Mower County, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Conference Center. Enjoy unlimited tastings and signature items from the finest home and restaurant chefs in Mower County and the surrounding area. Food and wine tasting, cash bar, live and silent auction, door prizes and entertainment. Tickets are $25 per person. Annual fundraiser for The Arc Mower County. For more information, call 507-433-8994. Note: Tickets for this event are SOLD OUT.