Excitement is building for the Pasadena Loves YA book festival, returning Saturday to the Pasadena Public Library from noon to 4 p.m. The festival, presented by the Pasadena Public Library in partnership with Bridge to Books, will feature 17 talented Young Adult authors and a series of engaging panels and book signings.
This year, the YA festival is hosted by and at the Jefferson Branch Library, at 1500 E. Villa Street.
Tim McDonald, Director of Libraries and Information Services, said the Pasadena Public Library is in partnership with Bridge to Books in organizing the event.
Attendees can check in at the welcome tent where they’ll receive a complimentary tote bag filled with goodies. The festivities kick off at 11 a.m. A Vroman’s Bookstore pop-up shop will also be on-site, offering attendees the chance to purchase the authors’ current and previous works. Cash and credit cards will be accepted; unfortunately, gift cards cannot be used due to the store being offsite.
Throughout the afternoon, guests will have the opportunity to attend a series of panel discussions featuring renowned young adult authors. The day’s schedule includes exciting topics such as “Our Place in the World,” “Once Upon A Time,” “Haunts, Horrors, & Murder!” and “Misunderstandings & Mishaps.” Moderators will guide the discussions, ensuring an informative and engaging experience for all attendees.
The festival will conclude with a Big Book Giveaway at 3:45 p.m. Hundreds of gently used young adult books will be up for grabs, offering everyone the chance to discover their next thrilling read. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own young adult books to swap, although it’s not mandatory. Volunteers will be available to help facilitate the book exchange.
Pasadena Loves YA has been hosted annually at Pasadena Central Library. Due to the recent pandemic, and while the Central Library undergoes seismic retrofit work, the city decided to hold it at Jefferson Branch.
Smaller events were organized in 2021 and 2022, but this year, the festival is returning in full force.
Registration is not required to attend, and all ages are welcome. Free parking is available on the street or in the parking lot on Sierra Bonita Ave. Attendees can easily locate the festival entrance by looking for a red sign that says “Fire Department Training Center” in front of the campus. The library entrance is accessible through the building doors on the Villa Street side.
For more information about the Pasadena Loves YA book festival, visit www.pasadenalovesya.com or follow @pasadenalovesya on Instagram.
