The Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the legacy of one of the South’s greatest writers, will host Flannery O’Connor’s 99th Birthday Party and Fair in the Square on Sunday, March 24, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Lafayette Square. This annual event is hosted in conjunction with Savannah Local Author Day, sponsored by The Book Lady Bookstore. The event is free and open to the public. 

“This annual event not only celebrates the life and literature of Flannery O’Connor, but also the quirky and creative characters of Savannah,” said Ariel Felton, President of the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home Board of Directors. “It also will kick off our lead-up to her centennial birthday next year!”

Participants will be able to hear live music by the Sweet Thunder Band, participate in an improv opera with Moon River Opera, enjoy a popup art show by Panhandle Slim, create their own Flannery-inspired crafts, and grab a slice of birthday cake in celebration of O’Connor’s 99th birthday. Attendees are invited to dress up as Flannery to compete in a Flannery look-alike contest or as their favorite character from Flannery’s writing for fun!

In addition, a portion of Lafayette Square will be dedicated to the annual Savannah Local Author Day, where local and regional poets, children’s book authors, and fiction and nonfiction writers will be on-hand.

Authors include:

• Helen Bradley

• VL Brunskill

• Don Cellini

• Amy Paige Condon

• Rosemary Daniell

• Laura Davenport

• Susan Earl

• Deborah Grahl

• Kevin Grogan

• Charles Hoskins

• Miho Kinnas

• Danelle LeJeune

• Jessica Leigh Lebos

• Ann Lilly

• Kevin McCarey

• Tony Morris

• Maggie Redmon

• Elizabeth Robin

• Southern Poetry Review

• Patricia West