Where is Eden Mills?
Eden Mills is a hamlet 12 km east of Guelph, Ontario, and 80 km west of Toronto. We offer a map and more specific directions here.
Do you have a COVID-19 Safety Plan?
You can read our COVID-19 Safety Plan here.
Is there parking?
Yes, there’s lots of free parking on Festival Sunday near the gates on Barden St and York St. Follow the signs as you approach the village. There is a shuttle bus from the west parking lot (Wellington County Rd. 29 & Barden St.) to the Barden St. gate.
What should I bring with me?
Bring a folding lawn chair, blanket or waterproof ground cover, a hat, an umbrella (just in case!), a reusable water bottle and an inquisitive mind.
When will the Festival Sunday schedule of events be announced?
The schedule will be shared in August.
If I have questions at the festival, who can help me?
Please visit our Info Booth, in front of the Community Hall, or approach one of our friendly volunteers.
Do I need to buy tickets to attend Festival events?
All events are ticketed, and tickets can be purchased online. Buy in advance and save, as prices go up at the gate!
Can I buy books?
Yes, indeed. The Bookshelf has a booth on Publishers’ Way from which they sell the work of our guest authors. Small publishing houses, booksellers, magazine publishers and non-profit groups also showcase their wares along Publishers’ Way.
Is there an ATM?
There is no ATM. Unreliable Internet and cell phone reception in our little village limit our ability to offer electronic payment options. Please bring cash. The Bookshelf does accept credit cards using a manual credit card swipe machine.
Is water available?
Yes, and it’s free. Bring your own reusable container, please.
Is food available?
Yes, there’s a food court where vendors sell a variety of scrumptious food. You can sit at the food court’s picnic tables to eat or you can take your lunch with you to the sites to hear the authors. Please help us minimize our footprint by putting all recyclables in the appropriate bins.
Is alcohol available?
Located on the terrace of The Mill, the Open Book Patio is a quiet haven in which to relax with a glass of wine or beer. 19+ with valid ID.
What about washrooms?
Washrooms are located behind the Community Hall, on Cedar St., and in the vicinity of both The Common and The Cottage sites. An accessible toilet is located on Cedar St.
Do you provide first aid?
Should you need medical assistance, please visit the First Aid tent located beside the Community Hall.
Do you have a lost and found?
Yes! Please visit the Info Booth if you have lost or found something.
Can I volunteer?
Yes, of course! We would welcome your help. Each year, the Festival recruits a team of approximately 100 wonderful volunteers. For more information on becoming a volunteer, please visit the Volunteer page.
Can I present my work at the Festival?
The Festival is a curated event that brings in writers by invitation only. We receive hundreds of unsolicited submissions from authors wishing to read at the festival and hundreds of recommendations from enthusiasts. Though we are grateful for this interest in our festival, and though we do take the time to consider unsolicited proposals, we are often unable to respond to every submission or recommendation or to return material submitted.
Can I recommend an author for the Festival?
Yes, you may recommend a favourite author or present an idea for an event, as many people and organizations do every year. We will not be able to respond to every request or pitch, however, so please do not interpret our silence as negligence.
Can I bring my work to the Festival to show the publishers on Publishers’ Way?
Many publishers attend Sunday’s event, participate in the festival and sell their works along Publishers’ Way, but most are not prepared to receive manuscripts on this day. We suggest that you approach a publisher through the usual channels, finding out first what their submission requirements are.
Can you put me in touch with an author on the program?
Authors sign their books after the set in which they read (at tables set up along Publishers’ Way), so you can certainly approach them then. To protect their privacy, we do not give out their contact details to anyone, and we cannot pass on messages. The best ways to contact our guests are through their websites, publishers or agents.