Chautauqua Festival

What is Chautauqua Festival?

This FREE event is all about celebrating all the rich, diverse culture that Longview and East Texas has to offer.
Including live music & performances, local authors, artists, craft activities, art installations, artisans, food trucks, face-painting, and so much more!

We hold the festival just outside the library front doors on the Eastman Library Plaza.

Plan to join us for the Longview Public Library Chautauqua Festival 2023 on Saturday, April 15 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM!

Chautauqua Festival 2023 Performance Schedule

We have a full day of performances and informative speakers/panels!

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
- Birch Beatles of Birch Elementary School.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- Jolly Roger Jam Band of Parkway Elementary School.

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Spring Hill Roaring Chorus.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
- Local Author Panel, featuring: Savanna Loy, Dot McCoy Horne, and Gene Gallien.

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
- Andrew Duncalfe

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
- Baking with Barbara McClellan (local columnist and cook-book author).

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
- The Down Home Cloggers.

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
- Low D, Saxophone player.

In addition to these performers, you will find lots of crafts and activities to do around the plaza at various booths.

The Circle S Ranch Petting Zoo will be set up near the library plaza.

The Safety City Mini-Park across the street (Cotton) from the library/city hall will be open for kids to explore!

Vendor Booths

Register to be a vendor and rent booth space at Chautauqua online!

Vendor booths will be available for you to promote your books, photography, art, creations, etc. for only $20.00!
Vendors may rent a 10’ X 10’ booth space and must provide their own booths (table, chairs, tent, etc.).

Vendor booth spaces are outdoors on the Eastman Library Plaza, and a tent is strongly recommended for sun protection.
We also recommend you keep strong winds in mind! Consider bringing things to anchor your space and keep your items in order.

There are a limited number of sites available with electricity.
Upon registering, contact Bronwyn or Jennifer at (903) 237-1351 to request a space with electricity.

Vendor Rules

- Chautauqua Festival is a public event for all ages. All vendors, vendor booths, and vendor merchandise must be family-friendly in nature.

- Longview Public Library reserves the right to deny admission or eject any person violating the Library's rules, local, state, or federal laws, or whose conduct is deemed illegal, disorderly, or offensive by management.

- All vendors consent to having their names, images, and/or likenesses captured in print, photographs, and/or video by the Longview Public Library and reproduced for educational and/or promotional purposes.

- Library staff will arrive at 8:00 AM. If you arrive earlier, there won't be anyone there to direct you just yet.
So, we recommend you come in at 8:30 AM to start your setup.

What does "Chautauqua" mean?

The Chautauqua (”sha-tauk-wa”) Movement was a traveling cultural tent show that toured across America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It was known for bringing culture to countless communities with speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers, and specialists of the day. Former United States President Theodore Roosevelt was quoted as saying that Chautauqua is “the most American thing in America.” It is in this spirit that we celebrate all of the rich culture that Longview and its surrounding areas have to offer!