Gaithersburg Book Festival Canceled Due To Coronavirus

GAITHERSBURG, MD — The Gaithersburg Book Festival — an annual event that attracts hundreds of award-winning and best-selling authors, poets, and songwriters to Bohrer Park — has been canceled because of the coronavirus.

It was scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 16. The event, which was created by Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman, has been held in the city every year since 2010.

"Sadly, circumstances have reached the point where we have to change gears on our beloved Gaithersburg Book Festival," Ashman said, adding that the city cannot safely host the event during the public health crisis.

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Earlier this month, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) ordered residents to stay home and banned public gatherings of more than 10 people to help stem the spread of COVID-19.

Although the city has canceled the festival, Ashman says he is exploring ways to bring the fun online.

"We will not be coming together — at least not face-to-face — but we are looking at creative ways to deliver some programming that connects our loyal patrons with their favorite authors," he said.

Gail Norris, the festival's public relations co-chair, said details about virtual programming will be posted on the event's website and Facebook and Twitter pages.

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