The Mancos Creative District announces the first annual Mesa Verde Literary Festival in downtown Mancos on Saturday, July 12. Forty-eight authors from around the U.S. will gather in Mancos to offer 38 individual presentations in restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, and patios, as well as 11 panels on a variety of reading and writing topics at the Community Center and the Public Library, which is a short and scenic walk over the Mancos River. The festival will also offer two writing workshops for teens.

Award-winning authors Pam Houston and Tim Weed will give keynote talks to cap the day.

A festival bookstore, managed by Hand in Hand, will offer books from visiting authors. Food and drink will be available at restaurants, pubs, and food trucks around town.

The festival is free and open to the public. It begins at 9 a.m. and runs through 8 p.m. More information at https://www.mesaverdewritersconference.org/festival.html#/.