A New Chapter for Denver: Blue Book Festival Debuts at Larimer Square

Meeting a local author, making a journal, and finding a new bedtime favorite are all on the agenda when Little Blue Pigeon Books launches its inaugural Blue Book Festival at Larimer Square on Saturday, Oct. 10.

The free festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., bringing together more than 30 Colorado authors for book signings, meet-and-greets, children’s crafts, and other literary activities. Two separately ticketed author conversations will take place next door at Apollo Hall.

Paige Dungan, owner and founder of Little Blue Pigeon Books, says after spending more than 20 years as a book publicist, she’s been to more book festivals than she can count. And she’s always come home with the same thought: Denver deserves one of these. 

“The Blue Book Festival is our way of giving back,” explains Dungan. “IT’s a day built for Denver readers, by Denver readers, celebrating the authors, neighbors, and families who make this city such a wonderful place to love books.” 

Denver is a city of readers, and Dungan knows Colorado is home to many remarkable authors who deserve a stage. She adds that she wanted to create a place where those two worlds could meet—where a family could discover a local author, neighbors could connect over a shared favorite book, and readers of every age could feel a part of something bigger. 

At the festival, little ones can create their own journals and dive into hands-on crafts inside Little Blue Pigeon, then head out to meet authors and find a new bedtime favorite. With free programming all day, families can drop in for an hour or linger through the afternoon—finding what works for little legs and nap schedules. 

“I want every family to feel like they’re part of Denver’s reading community. Reading so often happens quietly, at bedtime or curled up on the couch, but this is a day to share that love out

loud with neighbors, authors, and fellow book lovers,” observes Dungan. “And if a child goes home saying, ‘I met a real author today, and I want to write a book too,’ that will mean everything to me.”

Two ticketed headline author conversations featuring nationally recognized authors will take place next door at Apollo Hall, for $65 each. From 1-2:30 p.m., James Beard Award-winning forager, author and social media creator Alexis Nikole Nelson, known online as @blackforager, will discuss her new book, Happy Snacking, Don’t Die. Nelson has built a devoted following by combining foraging, food history and environmental education with humor and an infectious enthusiasm for the natural world.

Later, from 3:30-5 p.m., bestselling author and creator of the popular blog The Bloggess, Jenny Lawson will join festivalgoers for a conversation moderated by Tory Shulman of 9NEWS’ “Colorado & Company.” Lawson is known for her candid, irreverent writing and bestselling memoirs, including Let’s Pretend This Never Happened and Furiously Happy.

“I’m most excited about seeing families experience the festival together,” emphasizes Dungan. “There’s something really special about a child meeting an author, discovering a book they can’t wait to read, or sitting down to create something of their own. We wanted the Blue Book Festival to make books and reading feel exciting, accessible, and fun for the entire family.” 

Four independent Denver bookstores—Little Blue Pigeon, Denver Book Society, The Shop at MATTER, and West Side Books—will offer curated selections, giving visitors even more opportunities to discover their next favorite read.

Dungan says she hopes families leave Larimer Square with new books under their arms, great memories, and kids who are just a little more excited about reading than when they arrived.

And the festival is just the beginning. Dungan welcomes families to make Little Blue Pigeon Books part of their story all year long—a gathering place for readers of every age, with story times, author events, craft nights, and book clubs throughout the year. 

“We also believe books should reach every child, so through our Book Forward program, for every five books you buy, we donate one to a local nonprofit partner. We’re a small store with a big heart, and we can’t wait to welcome your family,” says Dungan. 

Find tickets, the complete author lineup, and additional festival information at littlebluepigeonbooks.com/thebluebookfestival.

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