Special to Atmore News
Monroeville, Ala. – The Monroeville Literary Festival is expanding to a three-day format with a series of free events to kick off the weekend on Thursday, Feb. 27. In collaboration with Main Street Monroeville, the Festival is encouraging visitors to come early and explore Monroeville with free guided tours in the afternoon. Everyone is invited to join the fun with a free Meet-the-Artists reception for Main Street’s annual Paint the Town plein air art event at 4:30 p.m. at the Shop at 66. A free concert by the Alabama roots band Pine Hill Haints follows at 6:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum.
Both the Literary Festival and Paint the Town continue Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, March 1.
Plein air painters from throughout the South will gather in Monroeville for the weekend and paint around the historic Courthouse Square for Monroeville Main Street’s Paint the Town 2025 Paint Out. This event is presented in conjunction with the Literary Festival. The Thursday reception allows visiting artists, festivalgoers and locals to mingle, view sample artworks and enjoy refreshments. Full details can be found on the Main Street Monroeville website: MonroevilleMainStreet.com.
The Literary Festival launches a new series of songwriter concerts Thursday evening, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m., with the Pine Hill Haints, an Alabama band known for its storytelling lyrics and mix of musical styles including gospel, rockabilly, rock and roll, Celtic, blues and bluegrass. The band utilizes traditional American folk music instruments such as a fiddle, harmonica, tenor banjo, mandolin, saw, washtub bass and accordion.
“We wanted to start our songwriter series with the Haints, because they are as much fun to watch as they are to listen to,” the museum’s Tracey Dean said. “You won’t find a more exciting free concert than this one. Be sure to start with Main Street’s free reception. We encourage everyone to join us for this free evening for art, music and fun.” The concert is free, but seating is limited. To ensure a seat, register on Eventbrite or the call the museum at 251-575-7433.
The Monroeville Literary Festival, a project of the Monroe County Museum, will bring best-selling writers and readers together in the Literary Capital of Alabama Thursday, Feb. 27, through Saturday, March 1. Most events take place in the courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum, famous as the setting of To Kill a Mockingbird. All readings, discussions and award ceremonies are free, but advanced paid tickets are required for the awards dinner and Saturday lunch.
A full schedule of events and registration details are available at Monroeville LiteraryFestival.com or by calling the museum at 251-575-7433 or by email at info@MonroevilleLiteraryFestival.com.