Books on the House and Fred & June’s Books are thrilled to announce the remarkable success of the inaugural Lake Norman Bookpalooza, held Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Liberty Park in downtown Mooresville. The first-ever literary festival to call the Lake Norman area home drew more than 6,500 attendees for a day that celebrated books, community, and the authors who bring both to life.
Books on the House, a Charlotte-based nonprofit literacy organization, organized and produced the event in partnership with Fred & June’s Books, bringing a proven vision for community-centered literary celebration to a new and enthusiastic audience. Books on the House had previously planned and executed the Bookpalooza Literary Festival in Charlotte, as well. By nearly every measure, the debut exceeded expectations with the community showing up in huge numbers to support this event and the literary community of Lake Norman.
It was wonderful to see readers of all ages browsing offerings from a diverse lineup of independent authors, many of whom reported their best-ever single-day sales figures. Bookish vendors, local food businesses, and a local brewery tent rounded out the atmosphere, giving the event the feel of a true community gathering rather than a conventional book fair. Activities were woven throughout the grounds, ensuring there was something for every type of attendee.
A Special Evening for Mystery Lovers
The evening before the festival itself, Fred & June’s Books hosted an exclusive murder mystery event at The Attic at Fred & June’s, the bookstore’s upstairs event space. Bookseller Rachael Dandison led the evening alongside three nationally recognized authors – Emma C. Wells, Mallory Arnold, and Marlee Bush – providing guests with the opportunity to hang out with some of their favorite authors AND solve a mystery. All three authors also appeared on the author panel at Bookpalooza the following day, giving attendees multiple chances to connect with them throughout the day and adding a unique element to the festivities.
Reflecting and Looking Ahead
“It was absolutely amazing to see what Kat [Varner] and Jesse [Brown] [the founders of Books on the House] were able to accomplish with this event! Everything was so well done, expertly organized, and all of those in attendance had an absolute blast. We’ve longed for the Lake Norman and Mooresville communities to have an opportunity to experience something like this, and Kat and Jesse made it happen – beyond anything we ever expected!” said Morgan and Stephen Hayes, the co-owners of Fred & June’s Books.
“Lake Norman BookPalooza was everything we hoped it would be and more. This event came to life because of an incredible community of people who believed in the vision. We are so grateful to Fred & June’s Books and the Town of Mooresville for helping make it possible. We also want to thank every volunteer, author, vendor, and community partner who brought their time, talent, and heart to the event. Its success belongs to everyone who showed up and helped bring this vision to life,” Kat and Jesse.
Planning is already underway for a return to Mooresville in 2027.
For more on Books on the House and its mission, and for the opportunity to show your support for an amazing organization, visit www.booksonthehouse.org. To learn more about Fred & June’s Books and upcoming events, visit www.fredandjunesbooks.com or follow along on social media (@fredandjunes on IG and Facebook).
About Fred & June’s Books: Fred & June’s Books is a bookstore dedicated to providing a home for the literary spirit in all of us, a space to make memories and connections through a shared love of stories and community.
About Books on the House: Books on the House is a nonprofit organization that provides free books to children and adults of all backgrounds via our bookmobile. We believe access to books opens doors to learning, discovery, and personal growth. Whether it’s a story that sparks a lifelong love of reading or books about business, health, or finances, our collection reflects the wide-ranging needs and interests of the communities we serve. We’re committed to making literacy-in all its forms-accessible to everyone, because we believe we’re not just giving away books for free; we’re empowering our communities to unlock their full potential for growth.
