Edible Book Festival

Calling all bibliophiles and food lovers to celebrate the book arts and the (literal) ingestion of culture!

Edible Book Festival participants create an “edible book,” which can be inspired by a favorite tale, involve a pun on a famous title, or simply be in the shape of a book (or scroll, or tablet, etc). All entries will be exhibited, documented, judged, and eaten! Ribbons will be awarded to winners in several categories, including those listed below.

Need some ideas? Check out the galleries from U of I’s annual Edible Book Festival.

The 2025 Festival will be held Saturday, April 5, at Chillicothe Public Library.

Schedule of events:

9:00 am-11:00 am: Participants drop off their entries
11:00 am: Judging begins
11:30 am: Public viewing/People’s choice voting
12:00 pm: Judge’s commentary and awards
12:15 pm: Let’s eat!

Consider submitting your entry to one or more of these categories:

  • Best Visual Presentation
  • Funniest/Punniest
  • Best Entry Based on Book for Children or Teens
  • Best Team Creation
  • Best Connection to Library Collection
  • Most Appetizing
  • Most Deceptively Un-Cake-Like (looks like a non-cake object)
  • Best Depiction of a Classic
  • Scariest

Registration not required, but appreciated! Registration is only for those submitting an entry.)

Register here

Thanks to U of I Champaign-Urbana for their inspiration for this event!