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New: Pre-Festival events in 2025!

This year, thanks to funding from the Horizons initiative, a joint initiative between Missouri Humanities, Missouri Arts Council and Missouri Division of Tourism, we are offering 2 pre-festival events:

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

2025 CLF Presenter Pedro Martín will speak on the University of Central Missouri campus at 10am in Lovinger 214 about his art and path to becoming an illustrator. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, March 8, 2025

2025 CLF Presenter Dorinda Nicholson will be at the Missouri Veterans Home-Warrensburg at 9am in the Veterans Home chapel. This event is free and open to the public.

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday

Sunday, March 9, 2025

• Luncheon

  12:30 PM, Elliot Student Union 237 A and B

  Every year we offer a Sunday luncheon attended by the majority of our visiting authors and illustrators. Ticket holders line up outside the door and the room is opened up at 12:30 for folks to come in and choose with whom they would like to share a meal. There are usually 1 or 2 presenters per table. Luncheon is a plated meal that is served by UCM's Sodexo staff. There are remarks by the festival director, welcoming of the presenters and then a presentation by the Gilbert-Sadler series speaker.

  The Gilbert-Sadler Speaker for 2025 is internationally acclaimed author, screenwriter, speaker and actor Pablo Cartaya. This Speaker Series is generously supported with a gift through the UCM Alumni Foundation by Becky Klein, the daughter of Philip Sadler, co-founder of our Festival. Please consider joining us for this special Sunday event! Authors are available after the luncheon to autograph books. Please note: tickets must be purchased in advance of this event.

• Book Sales

  11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Elliot Student Union Ballroom (Rooms 236, 238, 240) - free and open to the public

• Book Signings

  2:30 PM - 3:30 PM, Elliot Student Union Atrium - free and open to the public

• UCM High School Art Show

  time TBD,UCM Art Center hallways - The UCM High School Art Exhibition is a selection of outstanding artwork of high school students from a 150-mile radius of Warrensburg. Check it out while you are on campus!

Monday, March 10, 2025

Attend an author or illustrator presentation with time for book signing at the end. Visit the book sale and support our Festival!

• Author Presentations

  9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, various locations

  Authors and illustrators are scheduled to speak to children in grades 3-10 in 6 sessions (35-40 minutes). Registrants may select authors and/or illustrators they wish to meet by filling out our online registration form, available in early January.

  Some presenters may be available to sign books after each presentation. Signed book plates are available with purchases at Book Sales.

• Book Sales

  8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Elliot Student Union Ballroom (Rooms 236, 238, 240)

• Lunch

  Any time, various locations. Bring your own lunch, or take advantage of campus or local dining options. The lower gym in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center is available for large groups. Lunches may be left there at the beginning of the day. We request that you eat in the Elliott Student Union only if you have purchased your lunch there.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Attend an author or illustrator presentation with time for book signing at the end. Visit the book sale and support our Festival!

• Author Presentations

  9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, various locations

  Authors and illustrators are scheduled to speak to children in grades 3-10 in 6 sessions (35-40 minutes). Registrants may select authors and/or illustrators they wish to meet by filling out our online registration form, available in early January.

  Some presenters may be available to sign books after each presentation. Signed book plates are available with purchases at Book Sales.

• Lunch

  Any time, various locations. Bring your own lunch, or take advantage of campus or local dining options. The lower level gym in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center is available for storing and eating lunches. We request that you eat in the Elliott Student Union only if you have purchased your lunch there.

• Book Sales

  8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Elliot Student Union Ballroom (Rooms 236, 238, 240)