Transcript Staff

Oklahoma political figure Fred R. Harris will be a keynote speaker and one of the Oklahoma characters at the third Red Dirt Book Festival Nov. 2-3 in the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee.

Theme for the event is "Oklahoma character."

For 50 years, Harris has been an active participant in the political life of the country as a senator, presidential nominee, candidate or professor imparting his knowledge of the political process.?

In addition to his political career, Harris has found fame as an author. Along with his many non-fiction publications on social issues, he has authored three Okie Dunn mystery novels, each set in fictional Vernon, Okla., (patterned after his actual home town of Walters) during the Depression, and the book "Follow the Harvest," a coming-of-age book also set in Vernon.?

Harris will be the featured speaker at the Friday evening banquet, 7 p.m. Nov. 2.?

He has titled his presentation, "All I Need to Know I Learned in Oklahoma."

A luncheon Nov. 2 will feature one of Oklahoma's most prolific authors Bob Burke with a program entitled "Oklahoma's Amazing First Century."?

The Saturday luncheon will showcase the Chautauqua talents of Glenda Carlile as she assumes the characters of several important Oklahomans in "Hats Off to Oklahoma Women."?

Tickets for the luncheons are $15 each; banquet tickets are $25. All tickets are available for purchase online at the Red Dirt Book Festival Store. Tickets also may be purchased at the event as available.?

Harris, Carlile and Burke are among 72 Oklahoma authors, publishers, scholars, and book lovers who will make presentations at the festival. The two-day event features more than 50 programs, workshops, and lectures that cover different aspects of the art, craft, business, and enjoyment of writing.?

Although tickets for the festival meal functions are required, registration for the Red Dirt Book Festival is free. To register and for detailed program information, visit the web site at www.reddirtbookfestival.org .

The Red Dirt Book Festival is made possible through the support of the Pioneer Library System and the Oklahoma Humanities Council through the We, the People project. Other major donors include the Dougherty Fund and the Shawnee Convention and Visitors Bureau.