Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451
“There must be something in books, things we can’t imagine…”
Bristol BookFest is an annual public humanities program designed to inspire readers, promote life-long learning, and build community in welcoming and sociable environments. This year, Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 is the centerpiece of BookFest 2025. The novel’s themes of censorship, intellectual freedom, and media control remain as relevant today as when it was first published, challenging readers to reflect on their own perspectives.
The festival begins with our winter seminar series at Rogers Free Library, running weekly from January 21 to February 11, where we’ll explore the novel’s cultural and literary significance. The event culminates in a weekend of lectures, discussions, and community engagement on April 4 and 5, 2025. Find the full calendar of events below.
Calendar of Events
All events take place at Rogers Free Library and are free unless otherwise noted.
All events require registration unless otherwise noted. Links are provided below.
We look forward to seeing you!
Events
Tue, February 25 to Wed, April 16
on the Main Floor
Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future
Rogers Free Library, in partnership with the Bristol Art Museum, presents works of art inspired by the themes of Fahrenheit 451. On display during library hours.
Monday, March 31
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
in the Herreshoff Community Room
“Salvaged” Journal Making
Join this craft night with Jillian DeLong of Blanket Fort Creative. Fold and sew paper to create your own “salvaged” mixed-media journal inspired by Fahrenheit 451.
Friday April 4
Colt Andrews School Auditorium
& Saturday, April 5
Ballroom at Lindenplace
Bristol BookFest
Friday, April 4: Keynote Speaker – Kelly Link – this event requires registration
5 p.m. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: Renee Soto, BBF Committee Co-Chair,Peter Maloney, Friends of Rogers Free Library
A CONVERSATION WITH AUTHOR KELLY LINK AND BBF COMMITTEE MEMBER JILLIAN HANON DELONG,
WITH TIME FOR AUDIENCE Q & A
Followed by a RECEPTION AT THE ROGERS FREE LIBRARY (Please use the Hope Street Entrance)
This event requires registration at bristolbookfest.com
Saturday, April 5: Full day exploration – this is a fee.based event.
Presentations by Jason Aukerman, Rod Smolla, Kelly Link, Brown doctoral students Benned Hedegaard and Ivy He, and more
See the full schedule below. and registration, go to https://www.bristolbookfest.com/. Spots are limited!
PAST EVENTS
Every Tuesday
January 21 to February 11
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Fahrenheit 451 Reading Seminar
Facilitator Steve Calvert leads the annual BBF Seminar. Review, discuss, and apply one “Great
Reader Technique” to a different section of Fahrenheit 451 each week. Copies of the novel are available at the circulation desk at the library. Find the links to register below.
Please click on each week to register.
Week 1 (1/21/24 in the Herreshoff Community Room)
Week 2 (1/28/24 in the Herreshoff Community Room)
Week 3 (2/4/24 in the Herreshoff Community Room)
Week 4 (2/11/24 in the Herreshoff Community Room)
Monday, February 3
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
in the Herreshoff Community Room
Roger Williams: New and Dangerous Opinions
RWU Professor of History Charlotte Carrington-Farmer speaks about Roger Williams and how he stood by his “new and dangerous opinions” and created a “lively experiment” in liberty.
Saturday, February 8
10:30 am
4 Annawanscutt Drive in Bristol
Firefighter Storytime at Hydraulion Engline & Hose Co. #1
A Bristol firefighter reads a story about firefighting. Best for ages 3-8. Hydraulion Engine & Hose Co. #1 is located at 4 Annawamscutt Drive in Bristol.
Tuesday, February 18
5:30 – 7:00 pm
in the Herreshoff Community Room
Fahrenheit 451 Film Screening
The library presents the 1966 film directed by François Truffaut.
Clcik HERE to register
Monday, February 24
6:00 – 7:30 pm
in the Herreshoff Community Room
Blackout Poetry
RWU students lead this craft night creating new works of erasure, blackout, and found poetry.
Saturday, March 1
2-4:30 pm
in the Herreshoff Community Room
Fahrenheit 451 Screening
Katie Reaves, a filmmaker, video artist and educator, hosts a screening and discussion of the 2018 film directed by Ramin Bahrani.
Monday, March 3 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
in the Herreshoff Community Room
Once More Unto the Breach
Brian Williams, chief of staff at Roger Williams University, is a deep reader and lover of literature. He shares his personal affection for the novel Fahrenheit 451 and opens a conversation about why we read the same books multiple times throughout our lives.
Thursday, March 6
6:30 – 7:30 pm
in the Herreshoff Community Room
Amanda Jones Watch Party
Rogers Free Library, in partnership with Barrington, Little Compton, Tiverton, and Warren libraries, hosts a multi-location watch party with That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning In America author Amanda Jones, an anti-censorship advocate. Join Bristol’s Watch Party at Rogers Free Library or join in on Zoom. The link will be available for those who register.
Wednesday, March 19
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
in the Herreshoff Community Room
Readers’ Theater Rehearsal
Play a part in a live Readers’ Theatre!
For anyone 14 and older to play a part in a live Readers’ Theater, bringing sections of Fahrenheit 451 to life.
The 2025 BookFest readers’ theatre event is led by Roger William University English Literature/Secondary Education students and their professor, Susan Pasquarelli.
Sign up HERE to be in the Cast. We will contact you with more info.
Curtain Up!
Saturday, March 22
01:00 – 2:30 pm
in the Herreshoff Community Room
Readers’ Theater of Fahrenheit 451. See the performance!
Come see a live readers’ theatre of a section of Fahrenheit 451, performed by the community!
This program is led by Roger William University English Literature/Secondary Education students and their professor, Susan Pasquarelli.
Bristol BookFest is a public humanities program supported by the generosity of their founders, sponsors, and various private donors.