The Ridges & Rivers Book Festival is a partnership of two Viroqua organizations working together with the community to bring a dream to life.

The Driftless Writing Center and the McIntosh Memorial Library teamed up to celebrate the literary arts by engaging authors from around the world and finding support from businesses just down the street.

The Driftless Writing Center is a volunteer-led nonprofit organization based in Viroqua, WI, that provides literary and educational opportunities, readings and discussions, writing classes and workshops, and an outlet for the presentation of original writing by area writers.

Anyone who supports the literary arts can participate, and we operate in a spirit of cooperation and recognize that each individual’s contribution is valuable. We endeavor to create a supportive and noncompetitive environment while celebrating excellence in writing.

At the Driftless Writing Center, we believe everyone has a story to tell. We commit ourselves to confronting discrimination and oppression and to removing barriers to learning, writing, and sharing, so that everyone’s story can be heard.

The McIntosh Memorial Library was named the Best Library in the State of Wisconsin in 2022 and is a proud partner of this event.

Serving the Viroqua area since 1898, the McIntosh Memorial Library houses a collection of over 40,000 items, 15 public Internet computers, wireless Internet access and is a member of the Winding Rivers Library System. Our library participates in WRLSWEB, the online shared card catalog, which allows patrons to search for and receive materials from libraries in our seven-county region. We offer online programming for patrons of all ages with a special emphasis on children’s programming for youth ages 2 – 18.

Mission: To provide a trusted, accessible and globally-connected library and information service so as to promote a knowledgeable and engaged society. We are a cornerstone to the community and are a vital, accountable, active participants within it. We provide leadership in a rapidly changing world. We shape our collections, facilities and services in order to be sensitive and responsive to community needs and aspirations.

The Ridges & Rivers Book Festival will follow any current CDC recommendations concerning COVID-19 protocols.